Following the July 11, 2010 terrorist attacks by the al-Shabaab which saw two bombs set off at Kyadondo Rugby Club and the Ethiopia Village Restaurant in Kabalagala, Kampala, killing at least 70 people and injuring dozens, the UK government through its counter terrorism team has warned Uganda of an expected terrorism attack.
In a statement releasedon Thursday, the UK government called on their nationals to be extremely vigilant about their security “especially in crowded and public places like hotels, transport hubs, restaurants and bars, and during major gatherings like sporting or religious events”.
“Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreigners. UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe abroad and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack,” the statement reads in part.
Uganda Policce force did however come out to cool of the warnings, saing there is no need to elevate the threat levels. Police spokesman Fred Enangaon Thursday confirmed that there are sleeper cells already in the country, adding that efforts to dismantle them are ongoing.
“Despite the emerging sleeper cells our terror alert levels are not elevated yet,” Mr Enanga said.
Although the UK did not mention which terrorist group is behind the threat, Uganda security agencies recently accused the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels of attempting to carry out terror attacks.
The UK terror alert could negatively affect Uganda’s tourism sector, which has already been battered by the Covid-19-induced lockdown and other restrictions since 2020.
At least 35,000 tourists from the UK visit Uganda every year. Uganda’s annual tourist arrivals had been increasing to more than 1.5 million before the coronavirus pandemic.
