Uganda security forces foil Al-Shabaab terrorist attack
Uganda President Yoweri Museveni (centre) speaks to army officers from South Sudan, Kenya, Somalia and Tanzania during the graduation of 272 cadets at Kabamba Military Academy, west of Kampala, on September 6, 2014. Uganda on September 13, 2014 said it had foiled a terrorist attack. PHOTO | FILE |
What you need to know:
- Insurgents have claimed acts of violence in Kenya, Djibouti and Somalia
- Last Monday the US embassy warned that Al-Shabaab insurgents may try to exact revenge for a US air strike that killed the militant group’s commander in Somalia.
KAMPALA, Saturday
Ugandan security forces have stopped a cell of Somalia’s Al-Qaeda linked Al-Shabaab insurgents apparently “planning an imminent attack,” the US embassy said Saturday.
“Ugandan authorities reported the discovery of an Al-Shabaab terrorist cell in Kampala,” it said in a statement.
“We remain in close contact with our Ugandan counterparts as investigations continue into what appears to have been planning for an imminent attack.”
Police spokesman Fred Enanga confirmed security forces had “made arrests.”
“Joint security agencies in Uganda have foiled a terrorist attempt at one of its installations,” Enanga told AFP, without giving any further details.
Security forces have boosted patrols around major sites, the US said, in a warning statement to its citizens in the east African nation.
“At this point we are not aware of specific targets, and the Ugandan authorities have increased security at key sites, including Entebbe International Airport,” the embassy said.
“If you must move about, remain aware of your surroundings, avoid crowds, monitor local news stations for updates, and maintain a high level of vigilance.”
Last Monday the US embassy warned that Al-Shabaab insurgents may try to exact revenge for a US air strike that killed the militant group’s commander in Somalia.
“Stay alert to the ongoing potential for terrorist attacks in Uganda,” it said.
“We also caution US citizens of the possibility of retaliatory attacks in Uganda by Al-Shabaab in response to the US and Ugandan military actions in Somalia last week which killed Al-Shabaab leader Ahmed Godane.”
Uganda’s government said the country — a major contributor to Amisom, the African Union force fighting Al-Shabaab — was “happy” at the death of Godane, and had provided the US with key intelligence on his whereabouts.
Uganda’s Ministry of Internal Affairs said immigration officers had carried out an “operation on illegal immigrant workers in different parts of Kampala” on Saturday morning, with 69 people arrested.
It was not clear if the raids were connected.
The Al -Shabaab insurgents have claimed recent attacks in Kenya and Djibouti, and at home in Somalia.
During the World Cup final four years ago, Shabaab insurgents killed at least 76 people after setting off explosions that ripped through two restaurants in Kampala.
