UK ISSUES UGANDA TERROR ALERT

The UK  Government has issued Uganda a terror alert. The British Government warned that terrorists could carry out an attack in Uganda.

However, police have said there is no need to elevate the threat levels. In a statement released yesterday, the UK government called on their nationals to be extremely vigilant about their security, especially in crowded and public places like hotels, transport hubs, restaurants & bars, and during major gatherings like sporting or religious events.

“Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreigners. UK Counterterrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe abroad and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack,” the statement reads in part.

Police spokesman, Fred Enanga yesterday confirmed that there are sleeper cells already in the country, adding that efforts to dismantle them are ongoing.

“Despite the emerging sleeper cells our terror alert levels are not elevated yet,”  Enanga said.

Although the UK did not mention which terrorist group is behind the threat, Uganda security agencies recently accused the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels of attempting to carry out terror attacks.

Last week, security agents shot dead a suspected ADF rebel, Hamid Nsubuga, 25, alias Young Midu, in Kampala. He was allegedly planning to assassinate a local politician.

Police said the deceased and another, currently under detention, first attempted to bomb mourners at the burial of former Deputy Inspector General of Police, Lt Gen Paul Lokech in Pader District in August this year.

The UK terror alert could negatively affect Uganda’s tourism sector, which has already been battered by the Covid-19-induced lockdown and other restrictions since 2020.

At least 35,000 tourists from the UK visit Uganda every year. Uganda’s annual tourist arrivals had been increasing to more than 1.5 million before the coronavirus pandemic. However, the terror aleart is healthy. It is awakening Ugandans, especially restaurant owners, who no longer possess metal detectors.