Hundreds of passengers were last evening left stranded in the Old and New Taxi parks when police ordered taxi drivers to vacate the taxi parks because of renewed terror threats. At about 8pm, plain cloth dressed policemen and UTODA officials stormed the taxi park and ordered taxis out.
They also ordered the lock up owners to close and leave the park because it was being targeted by terrorists. Police presence in and outside the park was stepped up, as hundreds of passengers remained stranded with no means of transport.
By 8:30pm, the taxi parks which are always busy were deserted with only a few taxis struggling to get out of the taxi park. Andrew Sorowen, Kampala Metropolitan Police commander could neither confirm nor deny that the taxi parks had been targeted.
Sorowen told URN that the incident serves to remind people about the existing terror threat. He said that most people in public places had started ignoring security guidelines put in place to prevent another terror threat.
Abas Byakagaba, the commander of the Police Anti Terrorism Unit [PATU] said that there was not particular terror threat that he was aware about. Byakagaba urged Ugandans to step up their vigilance because the terror threat from Al-Shabab was still alive and kicking.
In July 11, 2010, more than 70 people were killed in twin bomb blasts at Kyandondo Rugby club and the Ethiopian Village Restaurant in Kabalagala. Somali Al-Shabab militants have since claimed responsibility for the attack.
