Uganda says no cause for panic after U.S. terror attack warning

The Ugandan police on Thursday urged the public not to panic after the U.S. warned of a possible terror attack in the capital Kampala.

Gen. Kale Kayihura, the police chief in a statement issued here said police and sister security agencies have taken measures to ensure the security and safety of the city and the country against this and other terror plans.

"There is no cause for panic or fear. I have no doubt that with the vigilance of the public and the time tested effectiveness of our security forces we shall once again defeat even this latest, desperate attempt by evil forces to disturb the peace, security, and the undoubted strides in socio-economic development of our people and country. We have defeated them before, we shall defeat them again," he said.

He urged the public to cooperate with security agencies by being vigilant and looking out for any suspicious individuals.

He said the police have received credible intelligence information that the Somali militant group Al-Shabaab is planning an attack in Uganda targeting vulnerable places like hotels, shopping malls and parks in the city.

The U.S. late on Wednesday issued an emergency terror attack warning its nationals in Uganda asking them to exercise caution.

The U.S. embassy in a statement posted on its website that it had received information of possible terrorist threats to locations where Westerners, including U.S. citizens, congregate in Kampala, and that an attack may take place soon.

Al-Shabaab has issued several warnings to Uganda that they will attack if the country does not withdraw its peacekeeping troops from the war torn Somalia.

Uganda was hit by the Al-Shabaab militants in July 2010 when suicide bombers killed over 80 people in a twin bomb blast in the capital Kampala.

The perpetrators who among others include foreign nationals are currently facing trial in Kampala. Endi