Kampala, Uganda (Daily Monitor) - The Somali community in Uganda yesterday distanced itself from what it called the “barbaric and anti-humanity” warning by the Al Shabaab terror outfit that it would attack Uganda and Burundi.
During a grand meeting of clan elders and Somali community leaders in Kampala, speaker after speaker condemned the threats and pledged to offer voluntary help to ensure peace in the country.
Al Shabaab last week warned that it would strike the Uganda and Burundi capitals in revenge for rocket attacks on Thursday by African Union peacekeepers from the two countries that killed at least 30 people in and around Mogadishu’s Bakara Market.
Uganda is our home
Mr Hussein Hassan Hariire, the chairman of the Somali community and elders in Uganda, said: “Uganda is our second home and we cannot allow our peace to be interfered with. If anything happens right now and they bombard any place here, the blame will be directed to us. We are assuring the people of Uganda that we are one and we should act as one people to stop these terrorists from entering the country.”
Secretary for information Mohammed Hassan apologised to the government of Uganda for the threats and said the Somali community is ready to help in whatever form to ensure peace.
“We appreciate the help the government has given to us and we cannot be part of a group that wants to bring death and turmoil in the country,” he said. “We are ready to give assistance in any form so that we can trace any element of terrorism here because we want utmost security in the country.”
To ensure that they are not infiltrated by terrorists, the Somali leadership is to carry out a nationwide census of Somalis in the country and offer them proper identification.
Somalis to register“Starting immediately we are going to offer free registration and identification to our people in Uganda according to clan as it is the practice in Kenya,” said Mr Hariire.
“We, however, appeal to the government to help us with logistical support in this so that we can move faster.”
They also advised the government to be keen on any foreign Arabs who buy brand new vehicles in Uganda without proper identification.
“These people are very rich. They are not only Somalis but they are a mixture of all Arab people; they always drive the latest cars, love luxury lifestyle and are too luxurious,” said Mr Ahmed Farahrable, a Somali refugee in Uganda.