-Incident Sparks Nationwide Security Concerns As Pursuit of 5 Suspects Intensifies
By Insight Post Uganda
Kampala, Uganda
The police and different security agencies in Uganda are actively pursuing five individuals suspected of being part of a terrorist cell.
At the same time, they are pursuing five suspects said to be behind the foiled attack on prominent Pastor Robert Kayanja’s Miracle Centre Cathedral in Rubaga, a swanky suburb in Kampala.
The unfolding events transpired on Sunday when an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) was discovered and safely detonated by the bomb squad. The vigilant response came from a joint police operation involving counterterrorism units, canine teams, and crime intelligence.
Additionally, officers from the Kampala Metropolitan Police were deployed to the Miracle Center Cathedral, leading to the apprehension of a suspected terrorist who had cunningly disguised himself as a churchgoer.
The suspect, identified as Abdul Rahman Kintu (28), was apprehended at the church’s main entrance in the Kayanja triangle zone of Rubaga parish. Law enforcement officials searched and discovered an IED in his possession.
Following his arrest, he was promptly handed over to the Joint Anti-Terrorism Task Force, comprised of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Military Intelligence (CMI), and Internal Security Organization (ISO).
Fred Enanga, the police spokesperson, told a press briefing at the police headquarters in Nagulu that the scene was processed by the bomb squad and forensic teams jointly detonated the device at the scene.
“The scene was re-examined, and we recovered several items which showed that this was an IED that was constructed using a food flask.”
Kintu, a resident of Mbizinya village in Buwama Sub-county, Mpigi district, was already on the wanted list of Chief Military Intelligence. Under interrogation, he revealed that the terrorist cell comprised six members, including himself (Kintu).
Security and intelligence authorities are now on an active hunt for the five remaining co-conspirators who remain at large.
Further investigation led authorities to the rented house in Lunguja Zone 8, where they discovered three more IEDs. The rental unit is linked to the Seventh Day Adventist Church. The bomb disposal experts safely detonated these additional explosive devices and collected crucial evidence.
Authorities are currently pursuing two more IEDs recovered at a guest house in Ngobe Bunamwaya, Wakiso district. Additionally, suspicions arose regarding a potential IED at Mabito business centre in Natete Central B Zone, Kampala. At the time of this report, the canine and bomb squad were working diligently to verify the package.
For more vigilance, the police have issued a public plea, urging citizens to remain vigilant and promptly report any unusual activities or behaviours to the police. “We call upon anybody with information regarding these bomb threats to call our National Operations Command Center on 0776999136 or 0707600773 or toll-free number 0800199699,” said Enanga.
This incident recalls the UK government’s warning in July about potential attacks in Uganda. These threats were described as potentially indiscriminate or directed against foreign nationals or places frequented by them.
Such alerts have previously been followed by actual incidents, causing fear and panic. The alert cautioned UK citizens in Uganda about possible attacks that could be indiscriminate or directed at foreign nationals and their favoured locations. This warning has understandably unsettled Ugandans, as previous alerts have often been followed by acts of terrorism.
However, police told the press that the joint security agencies are steadfast and dedicated to fighting terrorism in Uganda, despite the challenges posed by the limited details provided in the alert.
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