A possible terror attack in Kalangala district leads to increased security deployments

A platoon of armed security officers made up of Uganda Police officers and Uganda People’s Defense Force (UPDF) soldiers are currently deployed at both gates of the ferry loading stations to scrutinise persons before they are allowed on board.

The route to Kalangala from Masaka mainland uses two cargo and passenger ferries that are operated by Kalangala Infrastructure Services, a private firm contracted by the government under the public-private partnership arrangement.

The deployed security teams have placed two eyes-on checkpoints at either side of the gates into the ferry’s docking stations at Bukakata, on the side of Masaka, and Luku on Bugala main island, on the side of Kalangala district.

Apollo Mugume, the Kalangala Resident District Commissioner and Chairperson of the District Security Committee, says the deployment reflects intelligence reports about a possible terror attack targeting vessels on Lake Victoria.

Masaka District Police Commander Moses Nanoka echoed this report and asked the public to be vigilant at all times.

However Major Ninsiima Lwemijuma, the spokesperson of the UPDF Armoured Brigade headquarters at Kisijjagirwa in Masaka, says their presence at the ferry docking points is routine and not based on reports of any suspected terror attacks.

At the start of this month, two alleged terror cells in Lukaya (Kalungu) and Butambala were busted after a successful security operation.

Police spokesperson Fred Enanga noted that thanks to intelligence leads, counter-terrorism security teams were able to shut down two terror cells linked to Imam Suleman Nsubuga.

The Imam’s cell in Lweza, Wakiso district, was raided last year and this resulted in him being on the run.

“Our teams raided two hideouts of suspected terror cells and seven suspects were arrested who indicated they were being inspired to carry out attacks on security personnel and installations within the country by one Imam Nsubuga Suleman,” Enanga said.

Enanga warned that although terror cells in the country have either been smashed or their members put to flight, there was no time for Ugandans to rest on their laurels.

He added that there are other terrorist cell remnants whose backers want to reverse the security situation in the country and play havoc with the peace in Uganda.

“These are operational cells which are autonomous, mobile and flexible. However, we want to reassure the public we will ensure we eliminate them and prevent creation of new cells,” he said.

Enanga said several Ugandans are ready to sow chaos since they have been radicalised in their quest to reactivate terror cells and strike deadly blows against soft targets, namely civilians, in the country.

Once again, he counseled vigilance on the part of all Ugandans so that there is no repeat of last year’s November bombings in which twin attacks on the Central Police Station and along Parliamentary Avenue left more than seven people, including police officers, were dead.

At the start of the year, 15 people were charged with offences ranging from committing acts of terrorism and aiding terrorism, with regard to their alleged role in multiple bombings which occurred in the Ugandan capital city Kampala and other parts of the country in October and November.