Uganda news: Police notifies high alert in Kampala due to terror threat during Christmas

Security has been tightened at police stations and government installations following an order by the Director of Police Operations over fear of terror attacks. According to the message given by the director of operations, Asuman Mugenyi to all police commanders nationwide, terrorists have been detected identifying security installations adding that police commanders should not give them an opportunity.

“The probable intention is to conduct attacks, especially during the festive season. You must, therefore, be extra vigilant and leave no room which could be exploited by the enemy to attack facilities or installations,” Asuman Mugenyi said in the message sent last Thursday, as reported by Daily Monitor.

Unlike in previous festive seasons, this time most police stations in Kampala Metropolitan Area have soldiers carrying out guard work. The soldiers have also established camps in backyards of police stations.

Around this time in 2017, there was high crime rate during the Christmas and New Year festivities in Masaka and Lwengo districts in which five people were killed. There were fears that the attacks could have been carried out by an organised group.

Mugenyi suspended issuance of pass leave to all police officers until end of the festive season in the previous month. In his message, he said the emphasis should be in Kampala Metropolitan Police Area. “The group’s activities are being monitored and any follow up information will be availed to you accordingly,” Mugenyi opined. He did not name the terrorist group.