Tighten security against terrorists

Three separate bombs that rocked Kampala on Sunday night killing 74 people and leaving tens of others injured illustrated again the state of insecurity in the region.

The perpetrators of this heinous crime struck at a popular Ethiopian restaurant frequented by foreigners and expatriates, as well as a rugby stadium where football fans were watching the World Cup finals.

All indications are that this was a terror attack by the Islamic militants in Somalia. Just last month, the Al Shabaab militants who operate in cahoots with the dreaded al Qaeda, warned they would attack Uganda and Burundi for contributing troops to the African Union peacekeeping mission in Somalia.

The mission is part of the international community’s effort to buttress the transitional government in Somalia largely held together through United Nations efforts and support.

Back home in Somalia, the militants outlawed the watching of the World Cup, threatening to unleash terror on those who defied their directive.

Coming just a week before the African Union summit scheduled for Kampala and barely a fortnight after the introduction of free trade within the East African Community, the terror attack is a deadly reminder of the shaky security situation in the region.

Kenya and Tanzania have a history of bomb attacks, with the worst being the twin bombings of Nairobi and Dar es Salaam in 1998.

The upshot of all this is that the region has become vulnerable to terrorism. The East Africa Community must place security at the top of the agenda.

The members should carry out joint border surveillance and reach out to the international community to help in fighting the terror menace.

Dangers of terror gangs penetrating the porous borders are real at this time of free movement. The experience with terrorism in the region behoves us all to work jointly and tackle insecurity at the Horn.

If there is to be peace in the region, the Somalia crisis must be resolved expeditiously.