In a move to bolster national security and counteract the threat of terrorism, President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda has issued a directive mandating the presentation of national identity cards for entry into recreational places and worship centers across the country. The President’s announcement comes in response to recent security concerns related to the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels and other terrorist groups.
President Museveni made this announcement during a presidential address at Nakasero State Lodge, stressing the importance of identifying individuals accessing public spaces as a preventive measure against potential terror attacks. He stated, “No strangers entering your church, please. Anybody you don’t know in your area must be challenged, isolated, and reported to the police. Nobody should enter your bar because you drinkers know one another.”
The President also emphasized the need for scrutiny in hotels, real estate properties, markets, and buses. He urged strict verification of national identity cards for entry and cautioned that there would be no shortcuts in implementing these security measures. Museveni pointed out that these measures were essential because terrorists might exploit any vulnerabilities within the country.
These directives follow the recent arrest of seven individuals suspected of having ties to terrorist organizations. Law enforcement authorities reported the discovery of six explosive devices that were allegedly intended for use in carrying out attacks. Security operatives safely disposed of one explosive using controlled detonation techniques at Rubaga Miracle Centre Cathedral.
The police have attributed the thwarted attacks to the ADF, a group that initially emerged in Uganda in the mid-1990s but later relocated to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Despite their move, the ADF maintains a presence in Uganda, operating in small cells.
President Museveni’s directives present a significant challenge, especially in urban areas where many worshippers and congregants may not be familiar with one another. For instance, some Pentecostal churches welcome anyone for prayers, while Muslims often pray at the nearest mosque without strict membership requirements.
Additionally, the President called upon the police to provide training to hotel and lodge managers on proper visitor documentation procedures. “No room without showing your ID card and making sure that my face is the one on the ID card,” he emphasized. The same requirements will apply to landlords and tenants in flats and estates.
President Museveni also provided an update on Operation Shujaa, a joint military operation with the DRC that began in 2021. He reported significant progress, with 567 rebels killed, 50 captured, and 157 guns recovered. Furthermore, 207 abducted individuals have been successfully rescued. Uganda and the DRC have recently strengthened their military cooperation in the ongoing efforts to eliminate the ADF rebels.
Notably, President Museveni ruled out offering amnesty to hardcore ADF rebels, even if they voluntarily surrendered. He stated that those responsible for grievous offenses would be held accountable and potentially sentenced to prison, with the possibility of a pardon or reduced punishment in the future.
In concluding his address, President Museveni called on the public not to panic in the face of terror threats, assuring them that the government was taking decisive actions to ensure their safety and security.
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