KAMPALA, Jan. 16 (Xinhua) -- Ugandan police said late on Tuesday that it is on high alert after a terror attack on a hotel and office complex in neighboring Kenya.
Security has been enhanced and counter-terror measures have been put in place to secure the east African country, Polly Namaye, Uganda's deputy police spokesperson, said in a statement.
"Our security personnel are on the alert. Crowded places such as churches, markets, hospitals, schools, shopping malls should in particular adhere to these security measures, and we have alert squads in place to ensure that this is done," Namaye said.
"We also encourage everyone to make use of the security contacts that we availed to them in case of any useful information," she said, urging the public to be vigilant, watch out for suspicious items or people, and report to the nearest police station or authority.
Somali militants Al Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack. The Kenyan police and counter terrorist forces have been fighting to regain control of the hotel and office complex in the capital Nairobi.
"We sympathize with our Kenyan counterparts in this trying moment and pray that perpetrators of such acts are brought to book," said Ugandan police in a tweet, adding that the security forces have secured the country's borders following the Nairobi attack.
Uganda forms the bulk of the African Union peacekeeping forces in Somalia. Al-Shabaab has constantly warned Uganda that it would launch attacks in the country if it does not withdraw its peacekeeping troops from Somalia.
In 2010, the militant group launched twin bomb attacks in Kampala that killed about 80 people and injured several others.
