27 Dec 2023 | 02:41 PM UTC
Uganda: Increased security likely nationwide through at least late January amid uptick in attacks /update 1
Heightened security likely across Uganda, especially western border regions and Kampala, through late January amid uptick in attacks.
Officials will likely maintain increased security nationwide, particularly in the western border areas, and Kampala and other urban centers through at least late January. Several attacks have recently been either claimed by or attributed to the Islamic State (IS)-aligned Allied Democratic Forces (ADF):
Assailants attacked a village in Kamwenge District on Dec. 25, killing three civilians.
Assailants attacked Kyabandara parish, Kamwenge District, on Dec. 19, killing at least 10 civilians and looting shops in the area before fleeing towards Kibale National Park.
Assailants ambushed a tourist vehicle in the northern Queen Elizabeth National Park, killing one British national, one South African national, and their Ugandan guide on Oct. 17.
Assailants ambushed a commercial truck in the Katojo area of Kasese District, close to the DRC border, leaving at least two civilians dead on Oct. 13.
On June 16, assailants stormed a school in Mpondwe, Kasese District, leaving at least 37 children dead and an unspecified number kidnapped.
In addition, security forces have thwarted several planned bomb attacks in recent months, including in Kampala, and occasionally announce the arrest of suspects suspected to be part of terrorist sleeper cells. Two bombings in early December in the Kabalagala and Nabweru areas of the capital caused one injury. Officials said that the group behind the blasts is also responsible for previous similar incidents, with the main targets being gatherings, churches, bars, and schools.
Increased security measures, including checkpoints, patrols, and random vehicle and baggage searches, are likely. Localized transport disruptions could occur in areas with a heavy security presence and subject to security operations, including main highways and tourist park areas. Further attacks are possible in the near term, notably in main urban centers and regions bordering the DRC.
Exercise heightened vigilance near potential attack targets, including bars, schools, religious places, public gatherings, government, diplomatic, security buildings, and other crowded or sensitive locations. Plan for possible localized disruptions near the shared border with the DRC and areas subject to increased security. Remain cooperative if stopped at a checkpoint. Foreign nationals should always carry their passports, as well as register and maintain contact with their diplomatic missions. Heed all official security and transport advisories.
Despite recurrent operations in the western border area and the dismantlement of sleeper cells to prevent attacks in urban centers, the threat from extremist groups such as the ADF remains elevated. Although originally a Ugandan-based group, the ADF operates mainly in the DRC's North Kivu and Ituri provinces, where it has been implicated in dozens of attacks, including bombings. The ADF was also blamed for suicide bombings in Kampala in late 2021. In the aftermath, Uganda launched a joint security operation (operation Shujaa) with DRC forces against ADF strongholds in border areas; hundreds of militants were reportedly killed since 2021. President Yoweri Museveni recently announced that around 200 ADF members were killed by airstrikes in DRC in September.
