The Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Jacob Oulanyah, has condoled with the victims of Tuesday Morning Twin bombings in Kampala that left six people dead, and 33 others injured.
Two separate deadly suicide attacks, went off in Kampala City, at around 10.03am and 10.06am respectively.
The first attack occurred near the check point to the Central Police Station, in Kampala, and another happened along Parliamentary Avenue.
“Deepest sympathies to families of our people killed in today’s terrorist attack, and a quick recovery to those injured,” Oulanyah noted through his social media.
The speaker added, “As I have said before, we are our first line of defence.”
He cautioned Ugandans to be each other’s keeper, share with Police, all information of security concern, saying Uganda shall prevail.
In October, following two bomb attacks that occurred at a pork joint in Komamboga, Kampala, and on a swift safaris bus bound for Ishaka, at Lungala in Mpigi district, Oulanyah, also urged Ugandans to be cautious and vigilant since they are the first line of defence in fighting terrorism.
“We must be our first line of defence, I urge honourable Members of Parliament and all Ugandans to share with Police, all information of security concern,” the speaker said.
He added, “It’s unfortunate the extent to which terrorists can go to indiscriminately aim at destroying lives. Commiserations to families of our people who lost lives.”
The speaker appealed to the MPS not to inflame the situation but suggest solutions.
“My appeal to Members of Parliament is not to inflame but suggest solutions as the House debates the Statement by the Minister of State for Internal Affairs on the explosions at Digida eating point in Komamboga and on a Swift Safaris bus at Lungala along Kampala – Masaka highway,” he noted.
Speaker Oulanyah noted that there is need to act quickly on intelligence.
“I saw a terror alert issued by the British High Commission in Kampala and in a matter of days, it happened. How do they know what we don’t? Can we up our game? What can our agencies do better? These are the things that should interest us.”
Other Leaders React,
The Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Anita Annet Among, asked Ugandans to rally behind the security agencies as they deal with the situation.
“I ask the Country to rally behind our security agencies as they deal with this situation and may we more than ever, stand together as a country and defeat the cowards planning evil against our people. God bless you , God bless our beautiful Country.” She said.
The Prime Minister of Uganda, Robinah Nabbanja condemned the attacks, describing them as cowardly acts.
“I extend my Deepest sympathies to the families of those killed and injured as a result of the Twin Bombings in Kampala this Morning. I condemn the cowardly Act.Lets be Vigilant and Unite to defeat the Enemy like we have done in the past,” she said.
The Leader of Opposition, Mathias Mpuuga noted, “We have received and confirmed information of terror attack in two places in the City this morning! We extend sincere sympathies to victims and their families. At this stage; all we can re-state is that terror attacks in any form by anyone or organization is a veiled attack on human civilization, and our common values & convictions; we condemn them. In these unpredictable times, we remain each other’s keeper.,”
Mpuuga added, “Let’s reach out to friends loved ones and ensure cooperation with security. We implore security to ensure coherent sharing of relevant information with the general public and in a timely manner.”
Former presidential candidate, Dr Kiiza Besigye said, “Terrible signs of the deep and fulminating crisis in our country! Heartfelt sympathy for all the innocent people who’ve died and been injured in the Kampala City bomb blasts.”
National Unity Platform (NUP) President, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu noted, “Friends, As we all try to understand the cause of the explosions in Kampala today, let’s all to look out for each other and be extremely vigilant. Very sad that lives have been lost and many others are injured. We should stand strongly with each other in such a tough time.”
Government Chief Whip Thomas Tayebwa said, “Colleagues take note. I have alot of trust in our security, whoever was behind today’s bombings will be apprehended. Insecurity is a non partisan matter which all of us must unite to fight. Let us keep faith.”
Tayebwa added, “We should all play a role in fighting insecurity by being vigilant. Report any suspicious item (s) especially those left unattended to. Together we shall defeat terrorism!.”
Alice Alaso, the acting National Cordinator for the Alliance for National Transformation (ANT), said that the investigation should be impartial to ensure justice.
“We call upon the police and other security agencies to expeditiously investigate the twin bombings to ensure that the people behind these atrocities are held accountable,” she said.
DP President Norbert Mao said, “We call for a regional approach to combat terrorism. This approach would require the sharing of intelligence and joint military action against terrorist bases, this regional approach, however, requires healthy relations between the governments in our volatile neighbourhood.”