News from the State Department: U.S. Issues Travel Warning to Uganda

Washington D.C. 

January 25, 2011 

Williams Ekanem 

The State Department has alerted U.S. citizens residing in or traveling to Uganda to the upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections on February 18, 2011. In a travel alert issued yesterday, U.S. warned its citizens in Uganda to exercise caution and remain abreast of the security situation throughout the election period. This Travel Alert expires on April 18, 2011. The travel warning may have been necessitated by the bomb blast that killed some people in July 2010 while watching a televised FIFF world cup match in nearby South Africa. Uganda's 2006 presidential and parliamentary elections generally were orderly and peaceful, and there are no indications that the 2011 elections will be any different. Nevertheless, the State Department recommends that U.S. citizens monitor the local news for changing security developments throughout the elections. Instances of localized unrest related to the elections are possible, and U.S. citizens should be aware that even peaceful gatherings and demonstrations can turn violent. U.S. citizens should maintain a high level of security awareness at all times and avoid political rallies, demonstrations, and crowds of any kind. Ugandan authorities have however increased patrols and police presence due to the July 2010 terrorist bombings in Kampala, the December 2010 bombing of a Uganda-bound bus in Kenya, continued threats against Uganda by the terrorist group al-Shabaab, and heightened domestic tensions that accompany competitive political campaigns. U.S. citizens are advised to be extremely vigilant with regard to their personal security in public places frequented by foreigners such as hotels, resorts, upscale shopping centers, restaurants, places of worship, and outdoor recreational events.