Nairobi blast: Uganda on alert

By A Ssenyonga, H Mukasa & C Kiwawulo

The Uganda Police Force is on high alert to counter any terror attacks following a blast that yesterday ripped through shops in central Nairobi injuring 28.

Speaking at the charred and wrecked small shopping complex in Nairobi's commercial heart, Raila Odinga observed, "this is terrorism... this is a heinous act, we are under threat but we will not be cowed.

The lives and property of Kenyans are precious and must be protected; we condemn the terrorists and tell them that their days are numbered."

Last evening, the force's deputy spokesperson Judith Nabakooba has assured the nation,"we have been on alert and we shall not stop. Our teams continue moving in public places," said the deputy police publicist.

Reacting to the explosion along Moi Avenue in the Kenyan Capital, Nairobi, Nabakooba said whereas it was not yet clear whether the explosion was a terrorist attack, Police would continue being on the alert. "We have always been doing surveillance but what happened in Kenya makes us heighten public safety measures," Nabakooba told New Vision.

She called for public vigilance adding that; "we (Police) may not do it alone but we believe that with public vigilance together we can fight terrorism."

Over the weekend, security agencies of the East and Central African countries warned of eminent terror attacks in the region as the month of May ends.

Security has since increased vigilance with more foot patrols and intensified searcgb and many public places.

According to security analysts, there is heightened threat of terror attacks in the region planned by several terror groups in retaliation for the killing of their leader Osama Bin Laden.

Relatedly Police has beefed up deployment in the neighborhoods of Namugongo Martyrs Shrine ahead of the annual celebrations on Sunday.

Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Ibin Senkumbi yesterday announced that motor and foot patrols would be increased as Christians converge at the Anglican and Catholic shrines.

 Other security measures include mandatory body checks for pilgrims with all pilgrims t going through metal detecting gadgets.

"Two adequately manned Police posts have been established to attend to people problems. There will also be four more Police aid centres," he added.

He asked the public to be vigilant, report all suspected criminals  using telephone lines 999, 112, 0700199399 or 0711042405 (Catholic shrine) 0711042405 (Anglican shrine) .

On July 11 2010, bombs went off at the Kyadondo Rugby Grounds and the Ethiopian village restaurant, killing over 75 people, among them foreigners. Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attacks.

The Al-Qaeda-backed militants fighting the Somalia Government accused Uganda of deploying peacekeepers (AMISOM) in the war-torn horn of Africa country.

They have also warned other troop contributing countries (Burundi, Kenya) and any other country intending to send troops of reprisal killings.