Terror threat puts Ugandan capital on high alert

USPA News - Security forces were deployed across the Ugandan capital of Kampala on Thursday after intelligence agencies received information that a terrorist attack was imminent, possibly targeting either public places or government buildings, officials and sources said. Few details about the nature of the threat were released, but the Uganda Police Force (UPF) said it had received credible information from intelligence sources that terrorists were planning to carry out a terrorist attack on the fifth day of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, which is on Thursday.

A police source declined to say where the force had received the information but said possible targets included government buildings, United Nations (UN) agencies, public places such as hotels, restaurants, and shopping malls, and Entebbe International Airport near Kampala. Security forces were deployed across the capital as a precaution. No unusual incidents had been reported by 9:30 p.m. local time. The U.S. Embassy in Kampala, which issued an emergency message to its citizens in Uganda, said it had been told by local police that the threat was aimed at Uganda`s main airport. "According to intelligence sources there is a specific threat to attack Entebbe International Airport by an unknown terrorist group today, July 3rd, between the hours of 2100-2300," the emergency alert said. Royal Dutch Airlines (KLM), which operates a late-night flight from Kampala to Amsterdam on Thursdays, said it did not expect a delay due to the terror alert. "We are monitoring the situation closely and will follow instructions from the authorities," a spokesperson said. "The safety for our passengers and crew is always our primary concern." The terror threat involving Uganda`s main airport came less than a day after the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced it would implement "enhanced security measures" at certain overseas airports with direct flights to the United States. Although DHS did not name which airports were affected by the enhanced security measures, Thursday`s terror alert in Kampala is not believed to be connected. The alert also came a day ahead of the World Cup quarterfinals in Brazil. During the previous World Cup in 2010, seventy-four people were killed and many more were injured when bombs exploded at two locations in Kampala while hundreds had gathered to watch the final match between the Netherlands and Spain.