Community policing “an absolute necessity against terrorism” – UPC 

UPC has called for vigilance and urged local council leaders to take stock of residents

Kampala – 27, October 2021: Uganda, the Pearl of Africa is being tested by a group of people now known to be terrorists or its agents.

In less than a week, two terrorism incidents were witnessed leading to loss of lives and offering grave injuries to others. Property has also been destroyed following the recent bomb blast.

“Bombs have exploded in two places consecutively; Digida Pork Joint in Komamboga and a bus on its way to Ishaka – Bushenyi had an explosion going off at Lungala near Mpigi,” Uganda Peoples Congress (UPC) party recalls last week’s event.

UPC has sent what it calls “our sincere condolences to the bereaved families of the deceased” and wished “quick recoveries and divine healing to those nursing wounds”.

During its weekly press conference on Wednesday, the opposition party said, “Other bomb scares are being registered in several other places.”

This is coming at a time when the British authorities had just warned Uganda to be aware and alert with the pending terrorist attacks, Muzey Faizo, UPC’s head of media and communications said Wednesday.

“We need to follow up such clues, be more vigilant, intensify our security and intelligence analysis. This needs collective responsibility and unity. Investigations at all levels need to be stepped up,” Muzey adds.

“This means community policing is an absolute necessity as terrorism is now within our vicinity.”

UPC urges the Local Council Committees to come up with practical mechanisms to scrutinize new entrants in their respective villages for proper track record of their residents.

According to UPC, “This will reduce on the crime rate and suspicion amongst our communities.”

After months of ‘total’ lockdown, government has partially lifted key sectors it had closed in a move to reduce the spread of Covid-19.

Movements using private and public transport were restricted and suspended, respectively and, public places like arcades closed.

“Operators of public places like arcades, malls, market zones, and tax parks/bus terminals among others are highly encouraged to be cautious, vigilant and reduce the laxity on entry points,” UPC says, adding that, “Accordingly, the entire citizenry should be compliant with the guidelines.”

Last week on Sunday, Police said the explosion leading to the death of a 20 year old lady was a”act of domestic terror”.

“Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Uganda. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by tourists…,” United Kingdom government earlier warned.