Kampala, (UG): The identities of suspected terrorists linked to the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebel group who are being hunted down by Ugandan security services have leaked.
Highly ranked officials in the counter-terrorism force say the suspected ADF terrorists are already in Uganda with plans to carry out terror attacks at the 2023 Nyege Nyege Festival, a fun-filled event that has attracted thousands of revellers from across the world taking place this weekend in Jinja, eastern Uganda.
The lead terror suspects who have allegedly been sent on a dire mission to carry out attacks in Uganda are Ismail Mutegule and Kala Abdalla.
“The terrorists were sent by the ADF to terrorise the 2023 Nyege Nyege Festival in Jinja. If seen in your area, please report to the nearest police station or security forces,” reads one of the notices circulated in the counter-terrorism circles.
Other ADF suspects wanted by Uganda’s security services are Musa Kamusi, Amigo Kibirige alias Simba Amigo and Ahmed Mohamood Hassan alias Abu Waqas.
The terror threats have compelled the United States to insist that the Nyege Nyege festival being held in Jinja remains vulnerable to terrorist attacks.
“The U.S. Embassy is directing its staff to not attend the Nyege Nyege festival in Jinja from November 9-12, 2023,” said the U.S. Mission in Kampala on Thursday afternoon.
“Due to security concerns, we advise U.S. citizens not to attend the festival,” the mission added, emphasising, “U.S. citizens should also read our most recent Security Alert from November 6.”
President Museveni speaks
Earlier on Friday, President Museveni assured Nyege Nyege revellers that security forces had been deployed to secure the festival.
“Within Uganda, the security forces are guarding the pre-prepared public functions like the controversial Nyege Nyege, the Kyabazinga wedding, etc,” said Museveni in a statement to the media.
“I, therefore, advise the Wanainchi to be vigilant in the villages, the churches, the markets, public transport, etc. The infiltrators are few and with vigilance, they will be captured.”
The entertainment festival kicked off this Thursday at the Source of River Nile tourism site, agricultural showgrounds, and the Jinja Golf Course.
In Jinja, the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Geoffrey Katsigazi, assured the general public of maximum security despite terror alerts issued by the United States.
Katsigazi emphasised that Uganda has developed the internal capacity to prevent all forms of terrorism and is actively addressing the prevailing terror threats to ensure the safety of all individuals.
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