KAMPALA: The Uganda Police has warned Ugandans to be vigilant but also reiterated its commitment towards securing the soccer loving fans as they convene at various venues to watch the 2019 Total Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) that kicked off yesterday in Egypt as the hosts beat Zimbabwe 1-0 to go top of Group A.
“The tournament will run through to mid-July and is anticipated to be viewed by many Ugandans and friends of the Uganda Cranes. This calls for heightened security measures on the part of security agencies, football lovers as well as owners of premises where these matches will be viewed from,” said police spokesperson Poly Namaye.
Namaye called for vigilance and alertness as the key not only for the success of this tournament but also for personal security as we go about our lawful day to day activities. “The Police remain mindful of the July 2010 experience when terrorists attacked football fans who were watching world cup finals in Kampala,” she said.
“We urge the public to be mindful of their surroundings, to keenly look out for suspicious people and items and report timely to the nearest police stations. These items could be bags, loose wires, belts, phones, computers, electrical appliances and other items,” she said.
She said Police and sister security agencies, have put in place mechanisms to ensure safety of all people in Uganda as well as their properties.
Some of these measures include; Joint foot and motorized patrols in the city centers, suburbs, towns and villages.
Alert teams to ensure that premise owners comply with access control measures and other related security guidelines, with a view of ensuring that owners of premises such as hotels and bars comply with this directive.
Cooperation between the territorial police and event organizers so as to ease the flow of information relating to incidents that may be deemed as security concerns. This will enable timely planning and intervention.
Deployment of personnel in areas that attract big numbers people for purposes of intelligence gathering and covert security.
Community Liaison and Public Relations Officers to continue sensitizing the public on safety and precautions the public should adopt such as neighborhood watch.
