Police issue new terror alert

Sep 08, 2011

OWING to laxity particularly in public places, extremists might strike Uganda again, Inspector General of Police Maj. Gen. Kale Kayihura has warned.

By Herbert Ssempogo

OWING to laxity particularly in public places, extremists might strike Uganda again, Inspector General of Police Maj. Gen. Kale Kayihura has warned.

In a fresh warning, coming just weeks after a similar one, Kayihura said although security agencies were alert, the most effective weapon against terrorism was vigilance.

“Much as security agencies are critical and we bear the primary responsibility, the most effective weapon against terrorism is vigilance by owners and managers of public places, organisers of public events, and the general public,” he stated yesterday.

Kayihura cited hotels, supermarkets, malls, markets, taxi parks and bus terminals as some of the places that could be targeted.

Others are hospitals, education institutions, camping sites and places of worship.

Kayihura said he was disappointed that despite several warnings prompted by threats issued by terrorists, some proprietors remained adamant and had failed to comply. That, he stressed, could lead to loss of lives.

The July 11, 2010 attack at Kyadondo Rugby Grounds in Kampala and the Ethiopian Village Restaurant in Kampala are still fresh in people’s minds. Over 75 people, among them foreigners, died.

Kayihura said he had asked the police’s private security wing to be more vigilant in their oversight role, especially overseeing recruitment and management of guards.

“Put in place a system of inspection on a six-hour basis to ensure your guards are alert and vigilant. You also need to invest more in security equipment to detect different terror threats,” he advised.

Kayihura asked premise owners to get sniffer dogs, which detect concealed dangerous items.

“Any public event that is not notified to and regulated by the Police, should be avoided because it puts the participants in danger. In any event, we shall not allow such unregulated public events to take place,” he stated.

The Police boss warned that events that do not have a thorough security plan will be cancelled.

Kayihura urged the public to report suspicious-looking people to local council officials, police stations or security personnel.

He stressed that as USA marked the September 9/11 attacks in which thousands perished, there could be attacks in any part of the world.

Kayihura said the terrorists might also want to avenge the death of their leaders killed recently.

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