Police explain ‘Black Mamba’ actions
The Police has explained that the security officers referred to as ‘Black mambas’ who were seen in Police uniform, were members of the Joint Anti-Terrorism Force (JATF) established in 1999 following terrorist attacks.
By Anne Mugisa
The Police has explained that the security officers referred to as ‘Black mambas’ who were seen in Police uniform, were members of the Joint Anti-Terrorism Force (JATF) established in 1999 following terrorist attacks.
The attacks claimed 84 lives and injured 262 people in Kampala.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Police spokes-person Asuman Mugenyi said JATF was one of the supplementary forces created to reinforce the Police’s response to security threats. He said unlike other personnel, members of JATF have specialised training and equipment.
Mugenyi said the “Black Mamba†name does not exist in the security circles and that it was just a creation of the media. He added that JATF was made up of security agencies, including the Police.
“There is no doubt therefore, that the persons appearing in the photograph are members of JATF.
Unique uniforms and equipment are determined by the nature of the tasks to be performed. There are also other factors like weather terrain. Members of this unit do also carry out both overt and covert operations similar to what is done in other countries,†he said.
He said JATF’s deployment at the High Court was a response to threats of burning the court and to protect diplomats and people in the court.
The Police has explained that the security officers referred to as ‘Black mambas’ who were seen in Police uniform, were members of the Joint Anti-Terrorism Force (JATF) established in 1999 following terrorist attacks.
The attacks claimed 84 lives and injured 262 people in Kampala.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Police spokes-person Asuman Mugenyi said JATF was one of the supplementary forces created to reinforce the Police’s response to security threats. He said unlike other personnel, members of JATF have specialised training and equipment.
Mugenyi said the “Black Mamba†name does not exist in the security circles and that it was just a creation of the media. He added that JATF was made up of security agencies, including the Police.
“There is no doubt therefore, that the persons appearing in the photograph are members of JATF.
Unique uniforms and equipment are determined by the nature of the tasks to be performed. There are also other factors like weather terrain. Members of this unit do also carry out both overt and covert operations similar to what is done in other countries,†he said.
He said JATF’s deployment at the High Court was a response to threats of burning the court and to protect diplomats and people in the court.