Border security strengthened as CHOGM nears Tuesday, 30th October, 2007
Security has been titened
in Uganda ahead of the common wealth heads of
government meeting, at all Ugandan borders, particularly the border with DR Congo, to counter terrorist threats.
The meeting is expected to be attended by 5,000
delegates including over 50 heads of state and 30,000 participants.
“We have liaised with our neighbouring states to ensure peace and security during that very important meeting,” security minister Amama Mbabazi told the press yesterday at the foreign affairs ministry.
“If CHOGM was to be held today, we are completely ready and Uganda is secure. We have also ensured security in the air by guarding the airport and all the venues.”
He announced that security agencies would start rehearsing for CHOGM this week.
“The public is going to see convoys practicing, receiving delegates from Entebbe airport and taking them to the hotels and other meeting venues.”
Mbabazi noted that the Government had put in place security plans for VIP protection and traffic management.
People had also been trained in event operations, counter-terrorism, defensive driving, intelligence gathering, diplomacy and crisis management.
“We have procured the necessary equipment such as motor-vehicles and machines to screen baggage. We have also installed cameras all the way from Entebbe airport to Kampala, including at the taxi parks and other crowded places. We are now able to keep an eye on the delegates and anyone who gets close to them.” He added that the cameras would get their final testing today.
The Government had earmarked certain roads around Kampala to which excess traffic would be diverted during the summit.
Mbabazi added some of the roads had been repaired for that purpose. The delegates would be ferried from one venue to another by shuttle buses.
He dismissed as “rubbish” reports that the Kampala central business district would be closed or that people would need a special card to enter the city centre.
“That is nonsense. Business will go on as usual except in designated CHOGM venues.”
Police boss Maj. Gen. Kale Kayihura defended the mass deployment of special Police constables (SPCs) in the city.
“Kampala has been under-policed for a long time. Until recently, there was one policeman for 7,000 civilians. We recruited 1,000 SPCs and deployed them in groups of twos in specific areas. This is an anti-terrorism strategy.”
On anti-CHOGM demonstrations by the opposition, Kayihura said the Government had designated a place for them but the venue would be announced later.
“Whoever is planning anything must act within the law because the Police will enforce the law to the book and the letter,” Mbabazi warned.
Police will also arrest anyone who makes Kampala dirty from the end of this week. Nobody, not even ministers, are above the law.”
He gave the example of the Police having impounded a bus belonging to Nkumba University that was parked in the newly-planted flower gardens.
Summary by Kintu