from HASSAN ONYANGO in Kampala, Uganda
Uganda Bureau
KAMPALA, (CAJ News) – UGANDAN authorities have heightened security nationwide amid an uptick of terror attacks.
The attacks are either claimed or attributed to the Islamic State (IS)-aligned Allied Democratic Forces (ADF).
Officials are to maintain an increased presence particularly in the Kasese District (Western Region) and the capital Kampala, through at least late October.
This follows a string of incidents.
Assailants ambushed a tourist vehicle in Queen Elizabeth National Park, killing one British and one South African national and their Ugandan guide on October 17.
Assailants ambushed a commercial truck in the Katojo area of the Kasese District, close to the DRC border, leaving at least two civilians dead on October 13.
In June, assailants stormed a school in Mpondwe in the same district, leaving at least 37 children dead. An unspecified number of people remain unaccounted for.
In addition, security forces have thwarted several planned bomb attacks in recent weeks, including in the capital, Kampala.
Police officials also this week arrested 22 suspects in the Kyankwanzi District (Buganda region), suspected to be part of a terrorist sleeper cell.
Increased security measures, such as checkpoints and searches of vehicles and personnel, are more likely at border areas with DRC.
Officials have increased patrols along major roads and highways in Kasese and neighboring areas, particularly around tourist sites.
Similar measures are likely nationwide, in urban centers notably, including Kampala.
– CAJ News