Ugandan security forces have urged heightened vigilance by residents over threats of terrorism.
Police spokesperson Fred Enanga on Monday said while they are yet to get any information on a specific impending attack, there were concerns over low levels of vigilance in public places.
“We call upon Ugandans to recognise that terrorists have not stopped trying to harm us. We have no information to indicate a specific threat or attack but we urge the public to remain vigilant as they go about,” he told a press conference.
Enanga urged residents across the country to exercise caution in recreational places such as bars and restaurants, and other facilities like shopping malls and schools.
“We continue to see very low levels of vigilance at selected venues, especially bars, restaurants, shopping malls, schools and people in the transport sector,” he said, urging members of the public to report any suspicious activity or individuals to law enforcement officials.
PUBLIC URGED TO REMAIN VIGILANT AMIDST EXISTING THREATS
"As Ugandans, we must recognize that terrorists have not stopped trying to harm us. While we have no information to indicate a specific threat or attack, we urge the public to remain vigilant as they go to work, shopping,… pic.twitter.com/dfRoXTp9b8
— Uganda Police Force (@PoliceUg) July 10, 2023
The warning came less than a fortnight after the United Kingdom issued a travel advisory over the likelihood of a terrorist attack in Uganda.
The UK urged its nationals to be vigilant and said there might be increased security checks in public places and hotels as security will be heightened in the country.
“Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Uganda. Attacks could be indiscriminate or against foreign nationals or places frequented by foreign nationals,” read part of the advisory issued June 2.
“You should be vigilant at all times, especially in crowded areas and public places like hotels, transport hubs, restaurants and bars, and during major gatherings like sporting or religious events and when in close proximity to Government buildings or security installations such as police stations.”
The most recent terror attack in Kenya’s western neighbour saw the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a militia based in the Democratic Republic of Congo, cross the border and massacre 42 people, including 37 students, in a gruesome attack on a school.
The ADF is originally made up of mainly Muslim Ugandan rebels and it gained a foothold in eastern DRC in the 1990s.
Uganda and the DRC launched a joint offensive in 2021 to drive the ADF out of their Congolese strongholds but the measures have failed to combat the group’s violence.
