By AFP
In Summary
- The US embassy suggested people planning travel through the airport during Thursday evening should review their plans in light of the warning.
- Ugandan Army spokesman Paddy Ankunda said troops had been deployed at the airport and in the capital, some 35 kilometres (20 miles) from Entebbe.
- Police spokesman Fred Enanga insisted the "airport is very safe and secure", but added that security had boosted across the capital
The US embassy in Uganda warned Thursday of a
"specific threat" by an unknown group to attack Entebbe international
airport, which serves the capital Kampala.
The alert came as travellers flying to the United
States from Europe and the Middle East faced tighter security because of
new concerns about the development of explosives that could circumvent
airport security.
"The US embassy has received information from the
Uganda police force that according to intelligence sources there is a
specific threat to attack Entebbe International Airport by an unknown
terrorist group today, July 3rd, between the hours of 2100-2300 (1800
GMT to 2000 GMT)," the statement said.
Although it did not name any group, Al-Qaeda
linked Al Shabaab insurgents have claimed recent attacks in Kenya and
Djibouti, and at home in Somalia.
Uganda has troops in Somalia as part of the
African Union force fighting the Al Shabaab and is on high alert amid
fears of attacks by the Islamist militants.
Army spokesman Paddy Ankunda said troops had been
deployed at the airport and in the capital, some 35 kilometres (20
miles) from Entebbe.
ALSO READ: Uganda beefs up security at all borders
"People must be vigilant in the face of this
threat, report any suspicious individuals seen in their areas," he said,
calling on people to "stay calm and alert."
The US embassy suggested people planning travel
through the airport during Thursday evening should review their plans in
light of the warning.
Army deployed
It also warned its citizens of a general threat of
attacks which could target hotels, restaurants, clubs, malls,
diplomatic missions, government buildings and transport.
But government spokesman Ofwono Opondo said the US
was being "over sensitive in their warning", and urged people to
continue with travel plans as normal.
"All the security measures have been taken," he said. "We encourage people to go on with their business."
Al Shabaab claimed responsibility for the assault
on the Westgate shopping centre that killed at least 67 people in the
Kenyan capital of Nairobi in September last year as well as for two
night time attacks on the Kenyan coast last month that killed around 60
people.
In May, a male and female suicide bomber blew
themselves up in an attack on restaurant popular with Westerners in
central Djibouti, killing a Turkish nationa
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