U.S. Embassy in Uganda on alert for possible terror attack

By Margaret Brennan / CBS News/ October 17, 2013, 6:21 PM

U.S. Embassy in Uganda on alert for possible terror attack

The U.S. embassy in Kampala, Uganda, warned that it is on alert for the possibility of a terror attack that could resemble the "Westgate-style" massacre that killed more than 60 people in a Kenyan mall last month. Al-Shabab militants, a group with links to al Qaeda and Somalia, claimed responsibility for that siege.

State Department spokesman Jen Psaki said that the warning was issued "because of information available" but declined to spell out the specifics of this new Kampala threat. "Clearly, when there's a concern we provide information to American citizens," she said.

In a statement postedon its websiteon Tuesday, the embassy noted that it "continues to assess reports that a Westgate-style attack may soon occur" in the Ugandan capital. The post also advised U.S. citizens in the area to "exercise vigilance and to avoid public venues that attract large crowds." The unusually stark language used to describe the nature of a potential attack caught public attention since diplomatic advisories are typically muted.

A State Department official declined to provide further information about the potential attackers or the timing of the threat. However, the official noted that U.S. is legally required to share information about all "credible, specific, and non-counterable threats."

The increased threat level comes at the same time that special envoy Russ Feingold - a former U.S. senator - is in the area. He is visiting to work with local leaders to help broker a peace agreement in the so-called Great Lakes region of Africa, which includes Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The United Nations authorized an intervention brigade of peacekeepers to help calm the Congolese government defeat armed rebel groups and to calm an area that has been unstable since the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Peace talks have been ongoing for 10 months.

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-202_162-57608085/u.s-embassy-in-uganda-on-alert-for-possible-terror-attack/

FRIDAY 18 OCTOBER 2013 - sudan tribune.com

US warns of terror attack in Uganda

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October 17, 2013 (KAMPALA) - The US embassy in Uganda has warned of a possible terror attack in Kampala akin to the recent hostage crisis on a shopping mall in Nairobi, Kenya.

In a message posted on its website on Wednesday, the embassy said it was assessing reports that terrorists plan to strike the Ugandan capital.

‘‘The U.S. Embassy in Kampala continues to assess reports that a Westgate-style attack may soon occur in Kampala,’’ the message partly read.

‘‘Embassy officials are sharing all information with the Ugandan authorities. At this time, there is no further information on timing and/or location of this attack, ‘it added.

On 21 September, terrorists struck the Israeli owned Westgate mall in Nairobi killing over 67 people and injuring 175.

The attack was claimed by the Somali militant group, Al-Shabaab.

Following the attack on Kenya, Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces Gen Katumba Wamala said security services in Uganda had been put on alert to avert possible terror attacks.

In the terror alert on Uganda, the US embassy said it would continuously inform its citizens in the country about the possible terror threat and other potential threats. It also said it had shared intelligence with the Ugandan authorities on the terror threat.

Both Uganda and Kenya have troops in Somalia under the auspices of the African Union (AU). The Al-Shabaab said it attacked Kenya because of alleged abuses by Kenyan soldiers in Somalia. Uganda and Kenya have both been attacked before by Al-Shabaab.

http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article48476

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