Exclusively speaking to theGrapevine, Henry Okello Oryem, the State Minister in Charge of International Relations in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has revealed that next week, he is going to summon Kate Airey, the United Kingdom High Commissioner to Uganda over what he termed as malicious terror attack warnings.
In the latest travel advice to their citizens, the United Kingdom claims that terrorists are likely to try to carry out an attack on Ugandan soil.
In the statement, the former colonialists explained that the said attacks could be indiscriminate or against foreign nationals or places frequented by foreign nationals.
“You should be vigilant at all times, especially in crowded areas and public places like hotels, transport hubs, restaurants and bars, and during major gatherings like sporting or religious events and when in close proximity to Government buildings or security installations such as police stations. Previous terrorist attacks and disrupted attacks in Uganda have targeted the security forces, places where football matches were being viewed, restaurants, buses and government buildings,” the statement reads in parts.
The statement further cited the deadly attack on 17 June 2023, which the Uganda Police attributed to militants of the Allied Democratic Forces – ADF where they attacked a school in Mpondwe, Kasese District in western Uganda, close to the border with the DRC and killed 42 people.
They also cited the attack on 16th November 2021 where terrorists set off two explosive devices in central Kampala killing 4 and injuring 33 people.
They added that on 25th October, 2021, terrorists detonated an explosive device on a coach travelling on Kampala- Masaka road near Mpigi killing one person.
They further disclosed that on 23rd October 2021, terrorists used an explosive device to attack a restaurant in Kamamboga, a suburb in the north east of Kampala killing one person and injuring a number of others.
“You should remain vigilant at all times and follow the advice of the local authorities.”
The United Kingdom government insists that there is a high threat of terrorist attacks globally and the individuals involved view the United Kingdom and British nationals as targets.
That is why government is advising their nationals to remain vigilant at all times.
However when contacted, furious Oryem revealed that he has directed the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to summon Kate and by Tuesday next week, she should be at the Ministry explaining why they are issuing what he termed as malicious terror attacks to Uganda.
“It is the prerogative and their right to issue those documents. We cannot stop them but also it is very unfortunate that they issued this travel advisory without first discussing it with the government of Uganda and telling us why they issued it. It is very important to first explain to us why they are doing so” Oryem said.
He added that the entire world is under terror threat but he wonders why they always concentrate on Uganda only.
He accused the United Kingdom government of being selective when issuing such statements yet there are chaotic countries with riots and deadly demonstrations like what is going on in Paris, the France capital.
He wondered why the United Kingdom is not stopping their people from travelling to France or the United States of America where many people are killed every day in gun violence shootings.
State Minister for Information and National Guidance Godfrey Kabyabga Kaluku supported Minister Oryem insisting that Uganda is a safe country.
However, speaking to theGrapevine recently, security expert Edgar Tabaro explained that the United Kingdom and other developed countries issue terror alerts after examining reports from their intelligence networks which uses modern equipment and government of Uganda should use the said alerts to cover the gaps the terrorists would have used to attack Uganda.
Other sources in security and in government claim that the United Kingdom and other developed countries like the United States of America are issuing such threats to damage Uganda’s international image because of the recently signed Anti-Homosexuality law which they claim violates human rights.
By Sengooba Alirabaki
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