Uganda arrests Somali national with detonator in Kampala

KAMPALA, Uganda - A Somali national has been arrested in Kampala with a detonator, Uganda police said, in the latest development which could shape the anti-terrorism war, following a series of attacks in the East Africa nation.

The Uganda police said the Somali national was arrested at Speke Resort Hotel in Munyonyo, just within the outskirts of Kampala. Fred Enanga, the police spokesperson, said security guards managed to recover the detonator.

“The device was discovered by the security as they did a thorough search of the vehicle, a Toyota Wish which was being driven by Abdul Karim Mayowu, a 25-year-old Somali national and resident of Lungujja in Lubaga division,” Enanga said.

Mr. Enanga added that the police are currently interrogating the Somali national, adding that it's said that he's a special hire driver and that had been hired by one Muhammad Hassan, 28, another Somali national to go pick his mother and siblings from the hotel.

“That is how he drove with this suspected device. We have now arrested the two and also other close associates of the family including 40-year Asili Yasin and 20-year-old Maxbal Masal. The device that he was found with is one that can operate or detonate a given explosive device. We now have a duty to trace backward for the main component of the suspected explosive device,” Enanga noted.

The incident comes just a week after ISIS took responsibility for twin bomb blasts in Kampala which claimed the lives of two people. President Yoweri Museveni vowed to "crush" the terrorists who were attacking the country for the third time within four months.

So far, a total of 106 suspects have been arrested in connection with the incident. Uganda has been one of the most stable nations in East Africa when it comes to matters terrorism but the recent attacks have raised fears among stakeholders.

GAROWE ONLINE