Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) and Uganda Police Force (UPF) have formed a security standby team to encounter any security threats that may arise at the ongoing 64th Common Wealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC) in Kampala.
Police Spokesperson, Fred Enanga on Monday said that overt and covert security personnel as well as a standby team with specialists in encountering various security situations, are more than prepared to ensure the visitors enjoy their week-long stay in the country.
Uganda last hosted the Common Wealth Parliamentary Conference more than 50 years ago. The conference that started on 24th September and will end on September 29, attracted 24 Speakers of Parliaments from Common Wealth member countries and more than 800 legislators.
“We have deployed highly visible and invisible officers to deter any security disruptions and ready to handle any range of criminal activity at the event. We have specialist response team purposely to give right response where need arises,” said Mr Enanga.
Specialist teams are comprised of Special Forces Command –SFC, Joint Ant-Terrorism Task Force (JATT), Counter-Terrorism (CT), Crime Intelligence (CI), UPDF and UPF marine teams since visitors might swim at beaches or enjoy boat rides on Lake Victoria.
Other than the specialist teams, Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) experts have been deployed at Munyonyo Speke Resort Hotel, and nearby places to monitor arriving and departing guests for proper records and quick response where need arises.
“CCTV cameras are monitoring the entire venues. We however encourage delegates to ensure that they cooperate with the security team. They should remain vigilant and report any suspicious object, items and behavior,” Mr Enanga added.
CPC started with closed door meetings of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) regional secretaries, the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) steering committee, CPA small branches steering committee and the governance review working group.