The recent US terror alerts,what should we learn?

 On 9th November 2023,The US misson in Uganda made an alert that went;"The U.S. Embassy is directing its staff to not attend the Nyege Nyege festival in Jinja from November 9-12, 2023.  Due to security concerns, we advise U.S. citizens not attend the festival.  U.S. citizens should also read our most recent Security Alert from November 6"

On 6th November 2023,the US had again sent another warning and it read " Due to increased terrorist activity, U.S. Embassy Kampala recommends that individuals exercise an elevated degree of caution and reconsider attendance at upcoming large public gatherings, such as large-scale worship services and music and cultural festivals in Kampala and Jinja.  Additionally, be mindful when visiting locations where people tend to gather such as hotels, malls, and marketplaces"

In otober 2023,the US embassy had aso sent a world wide warning for increased terror activities ,the alert went as: "Due to increased tensions in various locations around the world, the potential for terrorist attacks, demonstrations or violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests, the Department of State advises U.S. citizens overseas to exercise increased caution."

In all the US's alerts,it gives caution on how its citizens in overseas countries must conduct themselves.Department of State advises U.S. citizens overseas to exercise increased caution.  U.S. citizens should:

Stay alert in locations frequented by tourists.

Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive information and alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency overseas.

Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter and visit travel.state.gov for more information.

What should we Ugandans learn from these alerts??

Looking at the volatile security situation in DRC,the recent ADF attacks on our land and the current operation SHUJAA ,it is mandatory for every Uganda to participate in the fight against these terrorists.

On our locals especially those neighbouring DRC,I mean all those districts that border DRC,we ough to put in much efforts in the system of information gathering and timely reports.All the security personnel's more especially those dealing in domestic intelligence must get ready for a sleepless endeavour and build a strong mutual cooperation with local council units and civilians.There is a lot of laxity more especially with this people called GISOs some of them seemingly holding positions of whose   significance they seem not to understand.It is high time most of these sensitive districts,sub counties to be put under people with sense not delegating people who are unpatriotic,corrupt and worse of it all very Dull,however ,I should thank the people at head office of ISO for having seen this and at least Made  some shake up.It also a great thing to think much of;I have live along border lines and it is Uganda in the whole of East Africa that offers that freedom of utmost free entry and settlement to foreigners,this worsened by these local council units that even do not bother to document and make study about people living in their villages.As I talk and write now,you will find that some districts bordering DRC have been receiving refugees and some do stay in those villages, these frequent to DRC back and forth every day,none knows who is who,what he or she is coming with.There is also a mentality of these refugees going through out the whole villages asking for help in terms of food stuffs.I once asked some one who got me home asking for help,I asked her of a place she originated from ,she told me that she came from BUTEMBO,I was shocked of how some one fled from butembo up to KISORO, there is a lot that needs to be done in the management of these refugees.

There is a need to carry out proper documentation on the activities of some foreign individuals.It is only in Uganda where someone comes in a day and he or she establishes a business in a village without the knowledge of the administration,be it the RDC,Lc1,..etc.It is very true that even some LC1 are corrupt and receive bribes in the certification of such people's residence in their villages.The LC1 should work hand in hand with the GiSOs to have a record of all people staying in our  villages.How does a foreign come to buy land,builds ,establishes a family and the district Administration does not know,yes ,it sounds untrue or in believable but if you get to these districts neighbouring DRC,you will get shocked!! I am not saying that people should not come to stay in our country, but the way it is done is totally dangerous in all ways.

With ,the recent attacks that claimed our students and the tourists,it worth noting that these terrorists have some people they connect with in our villages,we need sensitisation especially ,the youth who are fooled to join or shelter such wrong doers.

There is also a problem with our administrators,they do not value information,you may report an incidence and because the idiot does not sense any money venture in the issue,he or she ignores it.This at times demoralises the local population in reporting cases.The police's behavior ,more especially the criminal investigation with their corruption has further made things worse.Such behaviors and the way some security personnel's conduct their activities have lowered down the willingness of civilians to share information with the security agencies.

The Immigration department owes to be critical and avoid an form  of bribery,As I have said earlier,I have lived and worked along all key border points in Uganda.It is very easy for any person with a dangerous motive to bribe them and enter with dangerous equipments.This warning should again go to the URA ,instead of running after civilians yet they do get a lot of bribes on foreighn people with heavy business who pass via the border without checks is also another thing that demoralises civilians from reporting some incidences.

The financial intelligence authority should also put in more efforts and do a lot of research on most suspicious enterprises.

The Gorvenment should dictate upon all churches,mosques,shopping malls,stadiums,bars ..etc to have regular security checkups on whoever visits their premises.we have a problem in Uganda,where a policy is brought in and because of corruption,it only work for few days, the Gorvenment must be serious and stick to its policies.

Lastly,I would at least like to thank the external intelligence and the UPDF fro its external missions,if it was not these external missions,we would have frequent ADF attacks,so I beg all those politicians who go against these operations to instead  support the Gorvenment.

For the internal intelligence more especially,the GISOs ,iam still not happy with you,instead of lousing in bars and involving in nonsense,you owe to wake up!!!

For God and My country.