Ban on heavy luggage, bags
The Ministry of Internal Affairs has, with immediate effect, banned the carrying of heavy luggage or bags during passport appointments at their offices.
Jacob Siminyu, the Internal affairs spokesperson, says this is part of the ministry’s efforts to prevent terrorism activities that have been registered in several parts of the country. Siminyu explained that it has been a habit for persons seeking services at their offices to arrive with heavy luggage that is often dumped at the premises.
“If you are coming for a passport, all you need is your National Identification card, photocopy of recommended ID and a form with your application but people apply for passports with bags as if they are migrating from one country to another. Please desist or you will be asked to leave your bag outside. So don’t carry 20 kg because it will take time checking and you will still not enter,” he stated.
This announcement comes as security forces have emphasized the need for extra vigilance from the public as the country continues to battle bomb blasts.
On Monday, the Uganda Police spokesperson, Fred Enanga, said several youths have been oriented by the rebel group Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) to carry out suicide bomb blasts countrywide. Enanga further explained that suicide attacks are a new phenomenon and the public needs to be aware of the characters they mostly portray. He said Ugandans need to be armed with information about these kinds of attackers to minimize or prevent such from happening in communities.
“They come from nearly every background, ethnicity or religious setting. They participate in months of indoctrination and majority are males between the age of 18 to 23 years. Women and children have a potential of being recruited as well. We believe there are still more radicalized into the ranks of suicide bombers,” he said.
Three bomb blasts by suspected ADF terrorists have so far claimed four lives including two children at Ssegalye village, Semuto Sub County in Nakaseke district.
Ban on heavy luggage, bags
The first incident was a bomb blast at Digida Pork Joint in Komamboga, Kawempe division where a barmaid died on the spot. The second was a suicide attack on a Swift Bus at Lungala in Mpigi district along Kampala-Masaka Highway, while the most recent was in Semuto Subcounty Nakaseke district claiming two children aged 11 and 14 years.
The first suicide bombing in Uganda was carried out by the Al-Shabaab in the 2010 twin attacks during World Cup final match. The attacks left 74 dead and 85 injured. Al-Shabaab, an Islamist militia based in Somalia that has ties to al-Qaeda, claimed responsibility for the blasts as retaliation for Ugandan support for AMISOM in Somalia.
Compiled by Minah Nalule
