Uganda has beefed up its security following what security agencies believe is credible intelligence that the Al Shabaab terror group plans to attack some schools in the country in much the same way it did the Garissa University College in northeastern Kenya on April 2.

“We have received credible information that Al Shabaab terrorists plan to disrupt the Easter festivities by attacking schools on the Kampala-Jinja highway,” police chief Gen Kale Kayihura told reporters at a hastily organised press briefing on Friday.

He added: “I have directed the leadership of all schools, whether primary, secondary or university, on that stretch to activate the security committees as per the Ministry of Education guidelines and be extremely alert.

“I have also instructed the OCs (Officers in Command) and DPCs (Divisional Police Commanders) in that area to ensure schools comply and to also step up vigilance in their areas of operation so that there is no room they [terrorists] can exploit.”

The stretch boasts a number of prominent secondary schools that include Nabisunsa Girls School, St Michael Secondary School, St Mount Mary’s School Namagunga, Seeta Parents Primary School and Seeta High School.

There is also the Uganda Christian University in Mukono.  

In spite of the fact that most Ugandan schools have a modicum of security, some even with a police post on site or the within close proximity, they are largely civil in focus and are ill-equipped to respond to an attack of the magnitude of Garissa.

In order that the terrorists do not go round the security net and attack soft targets, the police chief pointed out that he had instructed traffic officers to ensure they break up long holdups by directing cars through alternate routes.

“You see, these traffic jams can also offer a good target for anyone who wants to cause chaos here and they tend to last a long time sometimes,” he said.

“So, the police must ensure they scan other routes that motorists can use.

“We urge the public to understand and co-operate. We may also stage roadblocks, so please understand and bear with us.

“We are not being alarmist. We need the public to take this notice seriously.”

Mr Kayihura commiserated with his Kenyan counterparts and noted that the neighbouring country had borne the brunt of terrorism by dint of being on the frontline and so deserved all the support its partners can render.

“We need more than ever to strengthen regional co-operation in gathering intelligence and sharing information, experience and knowledge that will help to co-ordinate effective response.”

On March 25, the United States embassy in Uganda issued an alert warning its citizens of imminent terrorist attacks on locations where foreigners, including US citizens, congregate in Kampala.

Whereas security agencies appeared to heighten visibility at strategic spots in the city, Assistant Prosecutor Joan Kagezi was killed in a drive-by shooting on the outskirts of the city five days after the Americans put out their notice.