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KAMPALA. – Armed police and soldiers patrolled the Ugandan capital on Wednesday as security was stepped up following twin suicide bombings claimed by the Islamic State that killed three people in the heart of Kampala.

Ugandans have been urged to remain on high alert after Tuesday’s attacks, the latest in a string of bombings targeting the East African country.

Checkpoints have been set up on several roads in Kampala, while the areas where the two bombings occurred have been closed off to motorists as teams of investigators scour the blast sites.

“Security has been stepped up in and around Kampala to ensure the public is safe from any possible dangers,” said Kampala Metropolitan police spokesperson Luke Owoyesigyire.

He added: “We encourage the public to remain on high alert as threats are real and high.”

Tuesday’s attacks occurred within minutes of each other, with two suicide bombers on motorbikes disguised as local “boda boda” motorcycle taxi drivers detonating a device near parliament, while a third attacker targeted a checkpoint near the central police station.

The bombings, which police had said were the work of “domestic terrorists” linked to the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), an armed group active in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, followed two attacks last month in Uganda.

Investigations were ongoing, with police in pursuit of suspects, after foiling a third bombing on Tuesday and shooting dead the attacker. – AFP