The United States Mission in Uganda is warning of the possibility of a
“Westgate-style” terrorist attack in Kampala anytime. PHOTO | AFP
By Tabu Butagira,The Citizen
Posted Friday, October 18 2013 at 12:24
Posted Friday, October 18 2013 at 12:24
In Summary
Uganda Police on Wednesday, confirmed
receiving the US embassy alert which has since triggered a deluge of
emergency security measures
In a security alert issued on Tuesday, October 15,
the embassy says it “continues to assess reports that a Westgate-style
attack may soon occur in Kampala.”
Embassy officials are sharing all information with
the Ugandan authorities, according to the alert, and “at this time,
there is no further information on timing, and or, location of this
attack.”
On September 21, masked armed men during a daring
midday raid burst into the showpiece Westgate mall in Nairobi, Kenya,
shooting weekend shoppers indiscriminately as they rummaged through the
shopping centre’s four floors.
The dramatic hostage-taking - now a subject of
inquiries by the Kenyan government after reports emerged about a number
of alleged security flaws prior, during and after the siege - was
testing for Kenyan security forces as the gunmen held fort for four days
and allegedly slipped away undetected after killing more than 60 people
and injuring hundreds.
Uganda Police on Wednesday, October 16, confirmed
receiving the US embassy alert which has since triggered a deluge of
emergency security measures.
According to spokesperson of the force, Ms Judith
Nabakooba, the Inspector General of Police Kale Kayihura constituted a
multi-agency ad hoc committee, comprising private security
organisations, to review operational security procedures at all public
places.
New guidelines
Screening of shoppers and guests at major malls
and hotels had been heightened in the immediate wake of the Nairobi
attack, but relaxed soon after.
On Wednesday night, Ms Nabakooba said they issued
new guidelines for more thorough search of individuals and motorists,
including physical frisking and sifting through baggage.
Members of the Al- Shabaab, taking advantage of
lax screening, in 2010 killed more than 80 people when they exploded two
bombs in Kampala ostensibly to avenge Uganda’s military operations
against them in Somalia since March 2007. The militants gave similar
reason for striking on Westgate.
SOURCE: THE CITIZEN
SOURCE: THE CITIZEN
