Uganda raises terror threat level after warnings of imminent attack

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/oct/18/uganda-raises-terror-threat-level

Version 0 of 1.

Uganda has heightened its terror alert to maximum for the first time since bombings in 2010 killed 79 people, after domestic and US intelligence indications of a possibly imminent attack by Islamist militants, police have said.

Security staff were recalled from leave and thousands of extra officers were deployed across the capital, Kampala, after the alert level was raised to red.

"Our intelligence and that of the Americans show an imminent terror attack is likely," said Patrick Onyango, a police spokesman.

Uganda had already heightened security after at least 67 people were killed in an attack on the Westgate shopping mall in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, claimed by the Somali militant group al-Shabaab.

Al-Shabaab also carried out the 2010 bombings in Kampala, targeting crowds gathered to watch the World Cup final, in reprisal for Uganda's participation in an African Union force that swept into Somalia to neutralise Islamist rebels and help end prolonged war and anarchy in the country.

The US embassy in Kampala said on Tuesday that it was assessing reports that a "Westgate-style attack may soon occur in Kampala". It cautioned its citizens to be vigilant about visiting crowded areas.

Onyango appealed for citizens to be understanding as police carried out more random searches, and said the force's staff would not be allowed to take leave until further notice.

Al-Shabaab has issued several threats to again strike Uganda, a staunch western ally, unless it withdraws from Somalia where its troops are fighting against Islamists as part of a 17,000-strong AU peacekeeping force.

Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.