Somalia, Uganda thwart terror attacks in their capitals

By Mohammed Dhaysane and Hamza Kyeyune

MOGADISHU, Somalia / KAMPALA, Uganda (AA) - Somali and Uganda on Monday said that the security forces of the East African nations have thwarted terror attacks in their capital cities.

Forces of Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) averted a planned al-Shabaab terrorist group attack on Mogadishu’s peace garden park, a popular spot near Somalia’s presidential palace, the country’s Information Ministry said.

During the operation, the intelligence officers seized suicide vests and an auto rickshaw intended for use in the attack, according to the ministry.

In Uganda, six suspects were arrested by security operatives for allegedly being in possession of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) intended for use during anti-government protests in the capital Kampala.

According to Maj. Charles Kabona, a spokesperson for Uganda People's Defense Force, joint operations were conducted Monday morning acting on a tip.

The planned nationwide demonstrations were called for by the Uganda Freedom Activists group to protest economic hardships and corruption in the country.

Security has been heightened in Kampala and its surroundings to keep protesters at bay as the protest was termed “unlawful” by the police.

Police told journalists at the scene that along with the arrests, also seized were 12 wine bottles, charcoal dust, sugar, a jerrycan of petrol, matchboxes, a blasting cap, dynamite and candlewick, among other items.

Somalia and Uganda have both suffered deadly attacks from the al-Qaeda-affiliated terrorist group al-Shabaab, which has been fighting Somalia’s government and African Union peacekeepers in the Horn of African country since 2007.