Police issue fresh terror alert

By Chris Kiwawulo

The Police have issued a fresh terror alert against a possible attack on Uganda by four terrorists from Kazakhstan. 

"We have received a security notification in form of an orange notice of four terrorists originating from Kazakhstan who are planning to travel to foreign countries in order to commit attacks and participate in hostile acts," Police spokesperson Judith Nabakooba said in a statement on Monday.

Nabakooba named the four active members of radical organizations as; Nassiruauly Kairat, Umurzakov Marat Eskendirovich, Kovtun Denis Valerevich and Mazhibayen Alimzhan Akhlazhanovich. 

By press time, a search on the international web has not yielded anything on the named persons.Last evening, police said that in collaboration with other security agencies vigilance has been stepped up  to avert the terrorists' evil plans. 

Police have in the past issued several terror alerts, the last one having been issued in late September ahead of the Jubilee celebrations that took place at Kololo airstrip on October 9.

Apart from being watchful of the neighbourhoods, Nabakooba warned against abandoned items including bags, cars, boxes, unexpected gifts, mails and parcels, abandoned suitcases and trash cans. 

The list also includes: radios, cameras, mobile phones, televisions and any other items with loose wires attached to them. She also urged the public to alert police about suspicious liquids in abandoned bottles.

She urged bus and commuter taxi owners and operators, to put in place enhanced access control, and internal security measures both in the parks, and the vehicles.

At the entrance to public  buildings including shopping mals, Nabakooba  recommended  guards  who should also use  to metal detectors, dogs (if possible) to detect possible intrusion of explosive materials like bombs.

In a public statement, Police also warned that organisers of public events including public prayers, sports and social gatherings, to always involve police.

"In particular, campaign managers or organisers of other political events should work even more closely with the Police to ensure effective access control and internal security of the venues for the events," added Nabakooba.

Places that will be found to be unsatisfactory, she warned, police would alert members of the public and take appropriate action within the law to secure them. She called on the public not to panic, arguing that terrorists' evil plans would be defeated with the combined popular vigilance of the public and security services.

In July 2010, terrorists attacked revelers who were watching the World Cup finals at Kyadondo Rubgy club in Lugogo and Ethiopian village in Kabalagala leaving 79 people dead and scores injured.

Several suspects have since been nabbed, some of whom have already been convicted while others are still on trial. The latest arrest was on September 2, when police paraded a Pakistani national and suspected terrorist who was arrested after he kidnapped a woman of Asian origin and demanded $70,000 (about sh181m) ransom.