Police and the army have Monday evening closed down the newly opened China Town hypermarket citing a terrorist threat.
Dozens of police and military officers deployed at the location in Lugogo in the evening rushhour.
One officer was seen urging shoppers to vacate the mega-store.
“Please leave now; we have a terror threat, “ the officer announced using a megaphone.
“You can come back tomorrow. “
At the time, there was hardly any parking space at the Lugogo mall.
Signs were placed at the store entrance indicating that it was closed.
Recently the American Embassy announced an “increased risk of terrorist attacks in Kampala”
The embassy encouraged its citizens to exercise increased caution in public areas including malls, schools and areas frequented by tourists.
Likewise, the United Nations mission said they had gathered information indicating potential terrorist attacks in Kampala.
“As we approach the September 11 attacks anniversary, the likelihood of terrorist organizations, extremist groups, associates, and sympathizers launching attacks to coincide with this anniversary cannot be overemphasized. By their nature, terrorist attacks are unpredictable, which highlights the risk that the UN could be affected or may suffer collateral damage” reads the UN mission security alert.
Police spokesman Kituma Rusoke acknowledged the security alerts, noting that they coincide with the September 11 anniversary day which terrorists have used to launch attacks.
However, Rusoke said Uganda Police remain steadfast as their countermeasures remain unchecked.
“Our alertness and countermeasures as Uganda Police have been consistent. However, it is also good that people need to increase their level of alertness,” he said.
“When you go to malls and other places, you clearly see that people have relaxed on these measures. But it should not alarm the population” Kituma said
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