Kampala 2017: Security assured for World Cross Country

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Local organisers of the IAAF World Cross Country Championships 2017 have reiterated Police chief Gen Kale Kayihura’s assurance of security ahead of the event due in seven days.

IGP Kayihura’s call came in the wake of the murder of one his senior police officers, Andrew Felix Kaweesi on Friday.

The police spokesperson was killed by unknown gunmen together with his bodyguard and driver just outside his home in Kulambiro, in the suburbs of Kampala. He was on his way to work.

Police investigations are going on.

The local organizing committee of the upcoming World Cross Country event in Kampala said they were saddened by Kaweesi’s death, saying he was a “true sportsman”.

The committee said Kaweei, also director of human resource in the Police Force, had promised to ensure that he boosted the welfare of the police sports department during his first meeting with them on the eve of his death.

“Our sympathies go out to his family, Uganda Police Force and the entire country for the loss.”

The committee re-echoed Kayihura’s assurance of safety.

Gen Kayihura assured Ugandans and visitors, mostly those who are set to travel to Kampala for the World Cross Country Championships, which they are working around the clock to ensure that there is enough security.

All the security agents are working together to ensure that they provide all the security required to ensure a smooth world event and a memorable one.

It is the first time Uganda is hosting the global athletics event, due next Sunday (March 26) at Kololo Independence Grounds.