Terror suspects remanded in custody in Uganda

Kampala (AFP) - Ten people arrested during a major security swoop in Uganda's capital were remanded in custody Wednesday after appearing in court on terror-related charges.

Ugandan police carried out a wave of arrests and reportedly found explosives in the capital Kampala on September 13, just hours after the US embassy in Uganda told its citizens to stay indoors because of fears of an "imminent" attack.

On Wednesday a group of 10 people accused of being members of Somalia's Al-Qaeda-affiliated Shebab rebels appeared in a Kampala court, where magistrate Simon Kintu remanded them in custody and adjourned the case to October 7.

The accused were identified as residents of a Somali district of Kampala, nine of them Somali citizens and one of them a Kenyan. The group, which included two women, one wearing a long black veil and another wearing a pink one, were packed into the dock and surrounded by police.

According to a charge sheet, those indicted are aged between 20 and 31 and are described as refugees, businessmen and drivers.

It said the suspects "and others still at large" had "aided and/or abetted and rendered support to Al Shebab group knowing and or having reason to believe that the support rendered would be applied and used for or in connection with the preparation and or commission of acts or terrorism".

State attorney Anguzu Lino told the court the investigation was in the "advanced stages", but that it was clear the suspects posed a "grave danger" to the country.

As the suspects were driven away from court, one of them shouted at reporters "We are good people!" and another shouted "We are refugees!"

Uganda is a key contributor of troops to the African Union force fighting the Shebab, and the east African nation's army said it was also instrumental in helping the United States conduct an air strike in Somalia earlier this month that killed the group's leader, Ahmed Abdi Godane.

Following the security operation, Ugandan police said a total of 19 suspects had been arrested, although on Wednesday officials gave no indication if the others who were not in court had been released or were still being held.

Uganda has been targeted by Shebab rebels in the past. During the World Cup final four years ago, Shebab insurgents killed at least 76 people after setting off explosions that ripped through two restaurants in Kampala.