UK issues travel advisory to its citizens as Monitor siege continues

 

 

Monitor journalists Charles Mwanguhya Mpagi (L) and Faharan Mukisa tussle with a riot police officer near the company's offices on Wednesday. Photo By Faiswal Kasirye 

By Dorothy Nakaweesi
 

 

Kampala

The United Kingdom’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has issued an advisory to its citizens to exercise caution following the siege of Uganda’s private media houses and the subsequent demonstrations.

The May 28 communication said: “There were demonstrations outside the offices of the Daily Monitor newspaper in the Namuwongo area of Kampala on 28 May. There are reports that tear gas and rubber bullets are used to disperse protesters.

“….We advises all British nationals to exercise caution and avoid all demonstrations, and to continue monitoring travel advice,” the advisory reads in part.

The FCO further cautioned that travel by road outside major towns at night, except between Kampala and the airport at Entebbe be avoided.

“Some political demonstrations have become violent without warning……. There is a general threat from terrorism,” the advisory states.

Similarly, caution was issued against travel to Karamoja sub-region in north eastern Uganda (Kotido, Moroto, Nakapiripirit, Katakwi, Kaabong districts) with the exception of trips to Kidepo Valley National Park, which they were advised to make by air. About 15,000 British nationals visit Uganda every year.

However, the UK acknowledged that most visits are trouble-free. The advisory follows last week’s warning by players in the tourism industry that the country’s image was at stake after receiving inquiries from people wanting to know the security situation of the country.