IAAF: Police assure athletes of security

Senior Superintendent of Police Frank Mwesigwa.

KAMPALA.

Organisers, participants and fans of this weekend’s IAAF World Cross-country Championships at Kololo need not to worry of any security breach, Kampala Metropolitan Commander Frank Mwesigwa has assured the nation.

In the wake of the brutal murder of AIGP Andrew Felix Kaweesi that has left the city alarmed, Mwesigwa told Daily Monitor that the international event will go on smoothly because they have implemented a thorough security plan for the safety of lives and property during the Sunday event.

“Our security ring starts from the (Entebbe) Airport to the city,” Mwesigwa said. “So far we have received 100 delegates and officials and escorted them to their designated four hotels in town.

“I cannot reveal the exact number of security officers we are to deploy but I can confirm we have many covert and overt officers on the ground.”

He added, “We have already drafted security plans, traffic management routes and access controls which we are going to unveil tomorrow (today) morning at Kololo.”
Mwesigwa says they plan to avail security to the over 2,000 guests expected at all the venues they will access like malls and sports venues.

The event’s media director Norman Katende said 155 journalists, 557 athletes, 172 family members and 220 officials are expected to grace the occasion.

“The numbers of people not on our list flocking the country to watch the marathon continues to swell. We are expecting over 800 fans from Kenya alone,” Katende stressed.

Daily Monitor understands that Imperial Royale and Hotel Africana have been designated for athletes, Sheraton Hotel for IAAF family (managers, sponsors and administrators) whereas Metropole Hotel will accommodate foreign journalists.

IAAF WORLD X-COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS
SUNDAY AT KOLOLO - TV SCHEDULE
2:30pm: Junior women’s race (6km)
3:10pm: Junior men’s race (8km)
3:55pm: Senior women’s race (10km)
4:55pm: Senior men’s race (10km)