Militants can’t attack Uganda – Somalia envoy.

The Somali ambassador, Sayid Ahmed Sheikh Dahir, yesterday dismissed threats by Somali militants to attack Kampala, saying they lacked the capacity to execute such a mission.

Addressing journalists and the Somali community at his residence in Kampala, Dahir said the threats were aimed at stirring mistrust among the Somali community and straining relations between Uganda and the transitional government in Mogadishu.

“They do not have the capacity to carry out such attacks,” he said.

Dahir was accompanied by Somalia state minister for defence Mohamed Yusuf Siad and former defence minister Gen. Haji Mohammed Omar.

Siad, who was a few weeks ago arrested and briefly detained by security operatives in Uganda, is in the country to receive medical treatment.

Recently, the Islamist rebel group, al-Shabab, vowed to bomb the capitals of Uganda and Burundi.

Soldiers from the two countries make up the African Union peacekeeping force in Somalia.

The troops are mandated to support the transitional governmental, implement a national security plan, train the Somali security forces and to assist in creating a secure environment for the delivery of humanitarian aid.

Dahir, however, said despite the lack of capacity of the militants, Uganda and Burundi were not taking the threat lightly

“When someone threatens you, you take care,” he said.

Dahir criticised the Somalia media, saying it was misinformationing the public that security operatives in Uganda had began targeting the Somali community.

“Security forces have the mandate of keeping security in the country and there are no cases of Somalis being targeted,” he said.