By ANDREW BAGALA in Kampala
Wednesday, April 06, 2011
Police chief Kale Kayihura Tuesday issued a warning to all police units in the country to be on high alert and “be on the lookout for any suspicious material and explosive accessories”.
This is the third terror alert since the year begun. In a radio message, Gen Kayihura said they had received information that terrorists may strike anytime, especially in crowded places.
“All commanders are directed to step up deployments and patrols at vital installations, social places, barracks and police stations in your areas,” Gen Kayihura said.
Al-Shabaab terrorists claimed responsibility for the twin bombings in Kampala on July 11, 2010, which killed at least 76 people and injured dozens at Kyadondo Rugby Club and the Ethiopia Village Restaurant.
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Over 34 bomb suspects, including Ugandans and Kenyans, were arrested and charged with murder and terrorism. However, there are questions whether the threats are real or are the result of the pending opposition-planned mass protests against rising food and commodity prices in the country.
Opposition leaders claim that whenever they plan to hold demonstrations, police issue terror alerts.
Mr Asuman Basalirwa, the Justice Forum president, told Uganda's Daily Monitor that they were working with other parties to call for a national dialogue under a campaign for free and fair elections to discuss, among others, the economic meltdown in the country.