Security On Alert As Suspected Terrorists Sneak Into Country

The Uganda Police has issued a terror alert advised to Ugandans to be on the watch over some five suspected terrorists it believes have entered the country or are planning to do so.

According to Police statement issued on Thursday afternoon, the five are members of radical extremists’ organizations who have sneaked into the country with the intent to carry out attacks.

Pictures of the suspected terrorists who include Ali Balam Adam, Nam A.amur, Abudallah Ahmed Abudallah, Abderraoup Jdey, and Mohamed nor Ali have been issued by the Police.

In 2010, close to 80 Ugandans lost their lives when suicide bombers blew themselves up in Uganda’s capital Kampala.

Security organs since then have set up measures to ensure there is no repeat of the unfortunate incident.

Polices has urged the Public to be: Security consciousness, ensure that premises are kept neat and clean, look out for suspicious and abandoned items, eliminate bomb shelters, access-control buildings/venues/events and subject vehicles to checks before entry into any premises or packing yards among other measures.

Below is Police’s statement in Full

We have received information that five terrorists have entered or about to enter Uganda.

These five individuals namely; ALI BALAM ADAN, NAM A.AMUR, ABUDALLAH AHMED ABUDALLAH, ABDERRAOUP JDEY, and MOHAMED NOR ALI are active members of radical organizations planning to commit attacks and participate in hostile acts.

The Police supported by the other sister security agencies are stepping up vigilance to avert these evil plans. However, our efforts alone are not enough. To fight terrorism we require vigilance of each and every member of the public. We, therefore, call upon each and every one of you, to be conscious of this threat, and join our efforts to prevent it. Therefore as a reminder we urge you on the following measures:

Security Consciousness. As you move about be conscious of your surroundings at all times. Take interest in what goes on in your neighbourhoods. Look out for strange and suspicious looking people and demand for their identity and inform any LC official or the nearest police post and/or any security officer in the vicinity.

• Look out for suspicious or abandoned items or packages e.g. bags, cars, boxes, unexpected gifts, flowers, flasks, mails and parcels, abandoned suitcases, dust bins, electronics, i.e. radios watches, cameras, mobile phones, television etc and any other items with loose wires attached, and immediately inform any LC official, or the nearest police post, and/or any security officer in the vicinity. Specifically, look out, and scrutinize suspicious liquids packed in bottles and immediately alert the Police.

• Ensure that premises are kept neat and clean. All rubbish containers, excessive stock and equipment must be removed. This will decrease the possibility of an “out of place” object which may suddenly appear and could possibly be an explosive such as a bomb.

• To eliminate possible “bomb shelters/hideouts”, all rubbish cans and containers should be quickly removed from premises, especially, in passages, toilets, and in public places. All office cupboards and entry panels for wiring and plumbing must be locked away, when not in use.

• Access control to buildings/venues/events: First, there should be capable guards (who are alert, 24/7) at gates or all entry points to check everybody accessing the premises. Secondly, there should be Metal detectors, dogs (if possible) at all entrance points to detect possible intrusion of explosive materials e.g. bombs. Thirdly, security lights, alarms, etc, should, if they have not been placed along non-porous perimeter fences, be installed. Hotels, malls, supermarkets, markets such as kikubo, public buildings with underground parking should put in place additional guards/other security measures.

• Bus and taxi owners and operators, working with Police and the other security services, should put in place enhanced access control, and internal security measures both in the parks, as well as entering and within the vehicles while on the move. Vehicles should be subjected to checks before entry into any premises and/or parking yards. Metal detectors should be carried in buses and taxis to check passengers and luggage that board enroute. Drivers should be required to open the bonnet and boot under close watch of security. Vehicles should be searched and its underside scrutinized using angled mirrors. Where there are multiple entrances, and exits, particularly, the Old Taxi Park in Kampala, either ensures effective access control through all of them or minimized them so that traffic flow is through one entry/exit point.

• We strongly urge all organizers of public events such as parties, concerts, open air public prayers,

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