Christians across the globe today celebrate Easter, in remembrance of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
In Uganda Security has been beefed up at different churches following renewed terror threats by the Al Shabab militants.
The Inspector General of Police Gen. Kale Kayihura says the deployment is not meant to intimidate but rather protect worshippers, calling for vigilance even as they celebrate.
On Thursday gun men linked to the Al Shabab militants attacked Garrisa University in north eastern Kenya killing nearly 150 people leaving about 70 with serious injuries.
Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta has now declared three days of mourning for the victims.
Easter ceremonies are being held to remember the 148 victims of the attack on Garissa University, and flags are flying at half-mast.
President Uhuru Kenyatta has vowed to respond to the attack “in the severest ways possible”.
According to the BBC, Sunni Islam’s most respected seat of learning, Cairo’s al-Azhar University, has also condemned the attack.
The Kenyan Red Cross says that so far 54 of the victims have been identified by relatives at a morgue in the capital, Nairobi.
Uganda has also been placed on high alert following reports of terror attacks planned on schools along Jinja Highway.
Meanwhile, religious leaders are asking church goers to take seriously the terror alerts issued by the police and report any suspicious individuals or objects as soon as noticed.
The Executive secretary Uganda Joint Christian council Fr. Sylvester Arinaitwe says with the heightened terror threat from the Al-shabaab, Christians must turn to God for safety.
From the health perspective, the Uganda Aids Commission is asking Christians to celebrate Easter responsibly to avoid reckless behavior that may lead to increase in new HIV infection rates.
The commission’s director general Dr. Christine Ondoa says people should not be carried away by the excitement that comes with such celebrations.
Ondoa advises that couple ensure they go for testing before engaging in any risky sexual behavior.
She says this will help bring down the HIV infection rates which currently stand at 380 people per day.
Story by Moses Ndhaye
