Uganda: Police Issues Terror Alert

Kampala — THE Police have issued a countrywide terror alert and warned of imminent terrorist attacks "We have intelligence reports of a terrorist threat," said Steven Musoke, the Kampala region community liaison officer. "As security agencies, we are putting counter-measures to control the threats."The terrorists want to punish Uganda for their role in Somalia, he quoted intelligence reports as saying. Uganda has peace-keepers in the war-torn Somalia.
An intelligence source at the Joint Anti-Terrorism Squad yesterday linked the threats to Osama bin Laden's al-Qaeda network, which is notorious for high-profile attacks across the world.
Addressing a press conference at the Central Police Station in Kampala yesterday, Musoke said all divisional Police commanders had been notified of the threat and advised to sensitise the community."These people target places with large numbers of people such as churches, shopping malls, restaurants, markets, hotels, taxi parks, government installations and foreign embassies," he said.Musoke urged the public to be vigilant and report abandoned objects like bags, polythene bags, vehicles and suitcases to security authorities..Garage and washing bay owners, he said, must register vehicles in their care."About five vehicles are stolen daily especially from washing bays and garages," said Musoke. "We advise vehicle owners to desist from leaving their car keys at washing bays."The Police are holding meetings with caretakers of restaurants, government offices, bus and taxi parks to urge them to step up security. "They should search passengers and check luggage. Also clubs, bars, hotels, entertainment spots and places of worship should be careful because they are vulnerable," Musoke said.A wave of locally-planned terror attacks, largely blamed on ADF rebels, hit the country in 1999 and 2000.