Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09KAMPALA1045
2009-09-11 11:59:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Kampala
Cable title:
EAC MEETING AND UPDATE ON KAMPALA CONFRONTATIONS
how-toVZCZCXRO3378 RR RUEHGI RUEHRN RUEHROV DE RUEHKM #1045 2541159 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 111159Z SEP 09 FM AMEMBASSY KAMPALA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1760 INFO RUCNIAD/IGAD COLLECTIVE RUEHXR/RWANDA COLLECTIVE RUEHKH/AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM 0815
UNCLAS KAMPALA 001045
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CASC PINS ASEC PGOV MOPS UG
SUBJECT: EAC MEETING AND UPDATE ON KAMPALA CONFRONTATIONS
REF: KAMPALA 01044
UNCLAS KAMPALA 001045
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CASC PINS ASEC PGOV MOPS UG
SUBJECT: EAC MEETING AND UPDATE ON KAMPALA CONFRONTATIONS
REF: KAMPALA 01044
1. (SBU) The Mission's Emergency Action Committee (EAC) convened at
1000 hours to coordinate its security posture in response to ongoing
violence and riots in Kampala (reftel).
2. (SBU) The RSO noted that rioting was spreading as unemployed
youths and others take advantage of the deteriorating security
situation. There are no indications that any of the rioters are
targeting Americans or Westerners.
3. (SBU) The EAC recommended that U.S. Mission employees remain
where they are until we are able to reassess the situation later on
this afternoon. However, those employees, both direct and local
hire, wishing to leave work early were given authorization to do so.
As of 1400 hours, all American Mission employees, TDY staff, and
Peace Corps Volunteers were safe and accounted for and have been
told to coordinate any travel regarded as essential with the RSO.
4. (SBU) The Mission initially advised the International School of
Uganda (ISU),where approximately 80 U.S. Mission children attend
school, to hold children at the school until further notice.
Subsequently, during a lull in the unrest, the Mission recommended
that students be sent home early at 1330. As of 1400, buses are
enroute, accompanied by Mission-facilitated Ugandan Police escorts.
While the area around ISU is not affected by the riots, the Entebbe
road which links ISU to central Kampala, is the site of continued
protests, burning tires, and sporadic gunfire. The Mission is also
coordinating with two other local schools where Mission children are
located to ensure that these children are also safe.
5. (SBU) The Mission is reviewing its communication procedures to
include phone trees, radio networks, SMS capability, and cell
phones. Increased cell phone usage in Kampala is hampering
communications.
6. (SBU) Post is drafting for Department clearance a warden message
and travel warning advising American citizens of the Mission's
decision to instruct employees and dependents to defer all but
essential travel within Kampala and between Kampala and the airport
in Entebbe until further notice as continued unrest is likely. With
the King of Buganda still planning on visiting Kayunga District on
Saturday, September 12, and the Ugandan Government insisting that
the visit will not go forward, we expect more confrontations
tomorrow.
LANIER
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CASC PINS ASEC PGOV MOPS UG
SUBJECT: EAC MEETING AND UPDATE ON KAMPALA CONFRONTATIONS
REF: KAMPALA 01044
1. (SBU) The Mission's Emergency Action Committee (EAC) convened at
1000 hours to coordinate its security posture in response to ongoing
violence and riots in Kampala (reftel).
2. (SBU) The RSO noted that rioting was spreading as unemployed
youths and others take advantage of the deteriorating security
situation. There are no indications that any of the rioters are
targeting Americans or Westerners.
3. (SBU) The EAC recommended that U.S. Mission employees remain
where they are until we are able to reassess the situation later on
this afternoon. However, those employees, both direct and local
hire, wishing to leave work early were given authorization to do so.
As of 1400 hours, all American Mission employees, TDY staff, and
Peace Corps Volunteers were safe and accounted for and have been
told to coordinate any travel regarded as essential with the RSO.
4. (SBU) The Mission initially advised the International School of
Uganda (ISU),where approximately 80 U.S. Mission children attend
school, to hold children at the school until further notice.
Subsequently, during a lull in the unrest, the Mission recommended
that students be sent home early at 1330. As of 1400, buses are
enroute, accompanied by Mission-facilitated Ugandan Police escorts.
While the area around ISU is not affected by the riots, the Entebbe
road which links ISU to central Kampala, is the site of continued
protests, burning tires, and sporadic gunfire. The Mission is also
coordinating with two other local schools where Mission children are
located to ensure that these children are also safe.
5. (SBU) The Mission is reviewing its communication procedures to
include phone trees, radio networks, SMS capability, and cell
phones. Increased cell phone usage in Kampala is hampering
communications.
6. (SBU) Post is drafting for Department clearance a warden message
and travel warning advising American citizens of the Mission's
decision to instruct employees and dependents to defer all but
essential travel within Kampala and between Kampala and the airport
in Entebbe until further notice as continued unrest is likely. With
the King of Buganda still planning on visiting Kayunga District on
Saturday, September 12, and the Ugandan Government insisting that
the visit will not go forward, we expect more confrontations
tomorrow.
LANIER