U.S. Embassy warns of possible attacks in Uganda

KAMPALA , Uganda, March 26 (UPI) -- The U.S. Embassy in Kampala, Uganda, issued a warning that Westerners may be targeted in terrorist attacks.

The strongly worded message Wednesday said the embassy received information regarding "possible terrorist threats to locations where Westerners, including U.S. citizens, congregate in Kampala" and said an attack "may take place soon." It added "increased security sweeps" will occur at certain hotels. Several non-essential embassy events in local hotels have been cancelled.

Ugandan police corroborated the warning Thursday, saying it received "credible information" regarding a suicide bomber.

The Ugandan government said the United States warned of a suicide bomber attempting to enter the country. A Ugandan spokesman noted the threat stems from the presence of Ugandan troops, combating militant Islamists with other African Union forces, in Somalia.

An attack by a suicide bomber of Somalia's al-Shabaab militant group killed 76 people, gathered to watch a televised soccer match, in Kampala in 2010.