As Uganda prepares to hold the 2011 general elections, the country is being placed on a high terror alert with increasing concerns that terrorists might target campaign rallies and election days to once again hit the country and kill many people.
The United States Embassy in Kampala has joined the Uganda Police in calling for more security alertness by ordinary people to avoid falling victims to potential terrorist attacks.
US Ambassador to Uganda H. E Jerry P. Lainer
The U.S. Embassy in Uganda has issued a statement warning American citizens that some terror groups in the Great Lakes Regions “remain actively interested in attacking” Ugandans and American interests.
This follows the July 11 twin bomb attacks in Kampala that left over 80 people dead when terrorists aligned to the Somali militant group Al-shabab bombed people watching the 2010 world cup finals at Kyadondo rugby grounds and the Ethiopian village restaurant.
The Al-shabab have warned that they plan more attacks on Ugandans unless the country withdraws its peacekeeping troops from the war torn Somalia. Uganda has sent some more than 3,000 troops as part of the Africa Union Peacekeeping mission to help stablise Somalia and aid the transitional government to gain control in the eastern Africa country.
The Al-shabab are believed to be behind another bomb that killed two people on a Uganda bound bus from Kenya, with authorities saying the bomb detonated by accident before its intended target where it would have killed many more people.
The U.S. Embassy expressed concern that the Month of February presents extra avenues for terrorists to attack Ugandans on American interests in Uganda.
U.S. citizens are being advised to avoid large, public gatherings, “especially those with large numbers of westerners and/or no visible security presence”, keep a charged cell phone at all times and to report any suspicious activity to Ugandan authority (by calling 999).
Campaigns are currently ongoing in different parts of the country as Ugandans prepare to vote in Presidential and parliamentary elections on February 18th, and for their local Council leaders later in March 2011.
The Inspector General of Police, Maj. Gen. Kale Kayihura has been warning Ugandans to take extra caution during the campaign and elections period as terrorists are targeting to hit the country. He however says the Ugandan security agencies have increased deployment and strategies to stop or counter any terrorist threat.