AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Ugandan security forces stopped a cell of Somalia’s al-Shabaab insurgents in the nation’s capital that was planning an imminent attack.
Police arrested people in September 2014 in raids two weeks after Ugandan troops, fighting in Somalia, reportedly provided intelligence that helped U.S. special forces kill al-Shabaab chief Ahmed Abdi Godane in an air strike. “Joint security agencies in Uganda have foiled a terrorist attempt at one of its installations,” police spokesman Fred Enanga said without giving further information.
Security forces have boosted patrols around major sites, the U.S. said in a warning statement to its citizens in the East African nation.
“At this point we are not aware of specific targets, and the Ugandan authorities have increased security at key sites, including Entebbe International Airport,” the U.S. Embassy said.
Uganda’s government said the country — a major contributor to the African Union Mission in Somalia — was “happy” about Godane’s death and had provided the U.S. with key intelligence on his whereabouts.
Uganda’s Ministry of Internal Affairs said immigration officers had carried out an “operation on illegal immigrant workers in different parts of Kampala” on September 13, arresting 69 people.
It was not clear whether the raids were connected. Al-Shabaab insurgents have claimed recent attacks in Kenya and Djibouti, and at home in Somalia.
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