Ugandan police warn of terror attacks

KAMPALA - Ugandan police have warned of biological and chemical terror attacks on the East African country, local media reported here on Monday.

Abbas Byakagaba, the police director of counter terrorism said security agencies are on alert in anticipation of biological, chemical and nuclear attack on the country.

Byakagaba, according to the state owned New Vision daily warned that an imminent attack would be costly, so they are not taking any chances.

He was speaking over the weekend at the pass-out of security officers who completed one week chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear awareness in the capital Kampala.

US officials conducted the training as part of the anti- terrorism assistance from the US government.

The program seeks to increase the ability of foreign law enforcement and security officials to counter terrorism. It was initiated in 1983.

Jerry Lanier, US Ambassador to Uganda said the training was intended to increase the proficiency of security forces to respond to and mitigate effects of nuclear incidents.

The East African country has been on alert after the July 11, 2010 twin bombings that tore huge crowds of football fans watching a World Cup final in the capital Kampala.   A total of 76 people were killed and score of others sustained serious injuries.

A Somali militant group, Al Shabaab, claimed responsibility of the attacks claiming they were in revenge of Uganda's deployment of peacekeeping troops in Somalia.