Security in Kampala tight ahead of AFCON

POLICE       AFCON     TERRORISM

The Police have assured Ugandans that despite threats of terrorism as the country prepares for the Africa Cup OF Nations starting on Friday in Egypt, there will be maximum security to handle any threat.

In a statement released by the deputy police spokesperson, Polly Namaye, the Police say they will secure all public places and urged owners of public entertainment places to be vigilante and security cautious.

Below is the statement in full
The Uganda Police force congratulates Uganda Cranes and all fans upon reaching the AFCON Finals. The tournament, which starts today and will run through to mid-July, is anticipated to be viewed by many Ugandans and friends of the Uganda Cranes. This calls for heightened security measures on the part of security agencies, football lovers as well as owners of premises where these matches will be viewed from.

Therefore, we reiterate our commitment towards securing all Ugandans and in particular, at a time like this when many people will be convening at various venues of their choice to watch their teams compete, and the merrymaking that will follow.

Vigilance and alertness are very key not only for the success of this tournament but also for personal security as we go about our lawful day to day activities. The Police remain mindful of the July 2010 experience when terrorists attacked football fans who were watching world cup finals in Kampala.

The Police, working closely with other security agencies, have already put in place mechanisms to ensure the safety of all people in Uganda as well as their properties. Some of these measures include;

• Joint foot and motorized patrols in the city centers, suburbs, towns, and villages.

• Alert teams to ensure that premise owners comply with access control measures and other related security guidelines, with a view of ensuring that owners of premises such as hotels and bars comply with this directive.

• Cooperation between the territorial police and event organizers so as to ease the flow of information relating to incidents that may be deemed as security concerns. This will enable timely planning and intervention.

• Traffic Police will continue to carry out operations aimed at ensuring the safety of all road users, as well as to check traffic offences such as driving recklessly, driving under the influence of alcohol and others.

• Deployment of personnel in areas that attract big numbers of people for purposes of intelligence gathering and covert security.

• Community Liaison and Public Relations Officers to continue sensitizing the public on safety and precautions the public should adopt such as neighborhood watch.

• Safety of children and babies. Parents will not be allowed into bars and video halls. Parents are encouraged to place their children under the care of a responsible adult(s) at all times if the parents have to go leave them behind.

We urge the public to be mindful of their surroundings, to keenly look out for suspicious people and items and report timely to the nearest police stations. These items could be bags, loose wires, belts, phones, computers, electrical appliances, and other items.

We wish you all a happy viewing of this tournament and best of luck to the Uganda Cranes.

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Meanwhile, President Yoweri Museveni has sent a message to the Uganda Cranes as they prepare to face DR Congo on Saturday.