In a significant security operation, the Ugandan Police, working alongside other security agencies, have cordoned off the Mabiito Business Hub in Natete, Rubaga division, Kampala city. This action comes following information suggesting that the area may be harboring suspected terrorists.
The police have also closed the main Kampala-Busega highway as part of their security measures. Two individuals have been arrested from the area, which has a reputation for criminal activity, including sexual immorality, drug use, theft, and hosting suspected criminals who gather there to plan various activities.
The Mabiito area has previously been associated with criminal cases, including the arrest of suspects linked to the murder of Maria Nagirinya and her driver Ronald Kitayimbwa in 2019.
The Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson, Patrick Onyango, confirmed the police’s response to the situation and mentioned that a bomb squad team had been dispatched to the area to investigate further.
Residents have reported that the entire area has been sealed off since the previous night, and no one is allowed access. Motorists traveling from Busega have been redirected to alternate routes, such as the Old Masaka road and the Northern Bypass.
The security operation in Natete comes a day after the recovery of an improvised explosive device (IED) near Pastor Robert Kayanja’s Miracle Centre Cathedral in Rubaga. One suspect was arrested in connection with the incident, and police later discovered unexploded explosives in a rented house in Lungujja, Rubaga division.
This heightened security situation follows recent incidents involving explosive devices, including the recovery of another bomb from Nabukeera Plaza in downtown Kampala, which was successfully defused by the bomb squad.
The police have issued a warning to the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious objects or individuals to the authorities.