Al-Shabaab terror attack thwarted in Uganda; 19 arrested

KAMPALA, Uganda, Sept. 15 (UPI) -- An al-Shabaab terror cell planning an imminent attack in Uganda has been disrupted, the U.S. Embassy in Kampala announced Sunday.

The all-clear was issued a day after Americans in Uganda were instructed to shelter-in-place while Ugandan authorities continued their investigation following the discovery of the terror cell.

Details of the plot have not yet been made public.

"Based on coordination with Ugandan authorities, and taking into account the heightened security measures the government has put in place, we believe that the immediate threat of an al-Shabaab attack has been effectively countered," the embassy said in an emergency message for U.S. citizens.

The Uganda Police Force has arrested 19 suspects in the anti-terror operation although the embassy acknowledged Sunday that "some of the attack cell could still be at large."

The National Security Council congratulated Ugandan authorities for their work, hailing it as "Another success for a CT partner whose efforts are contributing to the security of the region."