Security agencies led by Police have named guesthouse owners and landlords among top terrorists’ agents in the ongoing crackdown of criminals linked to last week’s twin bombings in Kampala.
So far, operatives have intercepted more than 200 Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) recruits en route to the DR Congo and arrested a total of 110 suspects from eight districts.
Security operatives also continue to raid suspected recruitment and collection centres, especially in Kampala, Wakiso, Luwero, Ntoroko, Bundibugyo and Kasese — rescuing some children.
It emerged Wednesday that most of the detained suspects are agents accused of harbouring bombers who blew themselves up in Kampala, including those who fled – and have remained a subject of the intensified security search countrywide, among others.
A counter-terrorism officer who spoke on condition of anonymity said: “Some persons of interest met one of the bombers at a guesthouse that acted as offices and hostels for bombers, with links to the ADF.
“Some guesthouse owners have direct knowledge of the planned missions,” he said, linking it to the arrest of Hamidu Nsubuga alias Young Midu, who was picked from a guesthouse. Security said he was netted as he finalised plans on a suicide mission to detonate a bomb at the burial of former deputy Police chief, Paul Lokech, in Pader.
Overtime, security has advised lodge owners to register occupants and also obtain copies of identity cards.
Village leaders/landlords were also asked to record details of residents.
Preliminary investigations have linked the ADF to last week’s attacks that claimed the lives of four Ugandans and three bombers and injured 37 people. So far, 35 people have been discharged from Mulago Hospital.
According to sources, details of the terrorists’ collaborators emerged from the ongoing intensive grilling of the arrested suspects currently in Police custody at various holding government facilities.
There is a chain in terrorism that includes recruiters, trainers, harbourers and persons behind logistics and transport.
“We have also recovered items that have been sent to experts at the government analytical laboratory and the Police’s forensic directorate for analysis,” the source said.
“Information gathered so far indicates that some of the bombers on the run were employed in small businesses, including vending merchandise to disguise their lifestyle.
“This gave them room to profile targets,” the source said.
Pseudo registered SIM cards used
According to the source, it also emerged during interrogations that terror suspects routinely communicate via telephone to plan an attack and also after one has been executed.
“They talk on mobile phones with pseudo registration (SIM cards) details.
“Most numbers (SIM cards) in the country are registered, but in this particular matter, they use a false identity. How they acquire them has remained a subject of investigations,” the source said.
The details emerged after Ugandan security agencies were given the greenlight to pursue suspected terrorists and their collaborators, who fled into neighbouring countries after the blasts last week.
Sources said although the top leadership is still discussing terms at a strategic level with counterparts, operatives have been given a ‘go ahead’ to work with colleagues in some neighbouring countries to track down the suspected terror suspects.
Police spokesperson Fred Enanga said two Somalis — Abdu Karim Mayow and Muhammad Hassan — were arrested at Speke Resort Munyonyo after being found in possession of a device capable of detonating explosives.
Security began surveillance after capturing Musa Mudasiri, who was arrested with a bomb at Katooke, Nansana municipality in Wakiso district.
Mudasiri later succumbed to bullet wounds sustained during a chase by security operatives. Earlier, Police had identified the bomber at Central Police Station Kampala as Mansoor Uthman and the one on Parliamentary Avenue as Wanjusi Abdallah.
Background
The army and Police specialised unit commandants have been meeting daily in the capital, to plot on how fast they can thwart the rising terror attacks in the country.
The attacks happened at 10:03am at the Central Police Station and at 10:06am on Parliamentary Avenue in Kampala.
So far, seven people, including a Muslim sheikh, Abbas Muhammad Kirevu over the incident. They were said to have had ties with ADF and that they were behind last week’s bomb blasts. Others are Dan Senabulya, Musa Byaruhanga Bahemuka, Joshua Mathias Turikyimanya and Joseph Bagonza.
The suspects were gunned down during security raids on suspected terror cells in Lweza in Wakiso and Mpererwe (Kampala), as well as Ntoroko and Luwero districts.
Police is still pursuing Sheikh Suleiman Nsubuga, who is accused of radicalising young Muslim men and encouraging them to join underground cells to carry out violent attacks.
It has emerged that security agencies have elevated the crackdown to shoot to kill terrorists who turn violent and resist arrest.
Recently, Enanga said: “Police, working with joint security agencies, intensified operations along Uganda’s border points.”
The counter terrorism boss, Assistant Inspector General of Police, Abbas Byakagaba, asked the public to call toll free numbers: 0800122299 and 0800199699, in case they see anyone in possession of a device capable of detonating explosives.
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