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Plain textSecurity Blanket Rolled Over Kampala As Muslims Plan Protests
Security agencies have today swung into action following intelligence that Muslims are planning massive demonstrations in Kampala against a film that demonizes Islam and Prophet Mohammed.
Impeccable sources say a joint security operation led by police boss Lt Gen Kale Kayihura is being conducted to thwart the protests
Muslims are expected to storm Kampala streets after today Friday’s prayers.
Gen Kayihura reportedly picked the information on Thursday evening and telephoned President Museveni to use his authority to reach out to Muslim leaders to reconsider their decision.
Kayihura has as well been in touch with some radical Muslim leaders, urging them not to “cause insecurity” in the city.
However, sources say, the Muslims have decided not to move even an inch on their stand.
Realizing the futility of such negotiations, Kayihura on Friday directed Kampala Police boss Andrew Kaweesi to deploy as many anti-riot police personnel as possible at all mosques especially in Wandegeya and Kibuli.
Several teargas vans have also been dispatched as a precaution against the possible outbreak of violence.
Chimpreports last week exclusively reported that Kayihura had ordered counter terrorism boss John Ndugutse to ensure security at the residences of all western envoys is beefed up to avoid attacks in the wake of massive protests against an anti-Muslim film that have since rocked Sudan, Tunisia, Libya and Lebanon.
Protests early this month escalated as Tunisian protesters jumped over the wall of the U.S. embassy compound in Tunis, setting fire to trees.
Just next door in Sudan, demonstrators stormed the German embassy in Khartoum, raising an Islamic flag above the mission after a bloody fight with hundreds of anti-riot police personnel.
Fearing the wave of the Islamic protests sweeping Africa and Middle East could spread to Kampala, Kayihura instructed Ndugutse to ensure “maximum security for all western diplomats and their families to avoid embarrassing incidents such as assassinations and kidnaps.”
Kayihura also directed a Rapid Response Team should be put on standby to swing into action in case of any attacks on western embassies or diplomats.
The IGP, a source in his office revealed, also requested the Police Intelligence to closely monitor radical Muslims in Kampala who could exploit the fluid situation to hold a demonstration in Kampala.
The new US ambassador to Kampala Scott H. DeLisi last Friday condemned attacks on embassies by Islamic militants.
“What I reject as unacceptable on any grounds, is the use of violence and terror against innocent men and women in an effort to strike out at those with whom we disagree. We condemn the violence that has resulted from this video in the strongest terms, and we greatly appreciate that many Muslims in the United States and around the world have spoken out on this issue,” said Scott during the Launch of the Human Rights and Multi-Faith Dialogue Training Manual at Hotel Africana in Kampala.
“Violence, we believe, has no place in religion and is no way to honor religion. Islam, like other faiths, respects the fundamental dignity of human beings, and it is a violation of that fundamental dignity to wage attacks on innocents. As long as there are those who are willing to shed blood and take innocent life in the name of religion, the name of God, the world will never know a true and lasting peace,” added Scott.
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Updated on 2013-05-09 09:25 |
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