Police heightens security at police headquarters, stations in Kampala

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | There is heightened security at the police headquarters and the stations across Kampala following the twin bombings on Tuesday, that left more than 20 police officers injured.

At least two patrol vehicles with counter-terrorism, field force unit officers and military personnel have been deployed at the different police stations to thoroughly check every person and their belongings before they are allowed to access the police station. Foot and motorized patrols are moving in areas around police stations at Jinja road, Kira road, Wandegeya police station, and Naguru police headquarters.

Before the attack on Kampala, police stations had one or two personnel stationed at the police stations quarter guards. Emphasis was put on following Covid-19 standard operating procedures like handwashing and wearing face masks. However this time, police officers were found carrying out thorough body checks and searches of personal belongings for anybody that accesses the station.

A police officer at Naguru police headquarters said there is still a lot of fear and tension that the terrorists would still target police stations.

“Right now no one knows their next potential target. We are not allowing motorcycles to park near the entrance, we don’t even allow people coming here with bags, because this is the headquarters of the Police and National CCTV command centre, we have been on alert,” one of the officers told URN.

The Police spokesperson Fred Enanga said the attackers still have a very strong desire to attack civilians, government agencies, and security installations, a reason all Ugandans should be more extra vigilant.

“For now, all Ugandans should know is that the bomb terror threats are still active especially from the suicide attackers, we believe there are still many members of these domestic terror cells created by ADF. So everyone should be very vigilant because the threat is targeting all Ugandans,” Enanga said.

But Nantaba Molly, one of the business people operating at Mabirizi Complex near the Central Police Station in Kampala blames the insecurity on the laxity of law enforcers whom she says are creating an opportunity for terrorism to thrive. Nantaba questions why officers at the Central Police Station in Kampala overcrowd vehicles and allow street vending in its precincts.

At least 23 police officers sustained injuries during the bomb blast at the Central Police Station (CPS) in the Kampala central business district on Tuesday morning. The affected police officers are from the General Duty and Field Force Unit-FFU.

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