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Sunday, July 11, 2010
At least 64 people, including an American, have been killed in twin blasts in the Ugandan capital Kampala.
Another 65 people were injured by the blasts, which police said went off at a rugby club and a restaurant as football fans watched the World Cup final.
"These bombs were definitely targeting World Cup crowds," Inspector General of Police Kale Kayihura said.
Somali militants have in the past threatened to attack Kampala; Ugandan troops are deployed in Mogadishu.
About 5,000 African Union troops from Uganda and Burundi are based in Mogadishu to protect the fragile interim government.
The Amisom force is engaged in frequent firefights with Islamist insurgents which control much of southern and central Somalia.
Obama 'deeply saddened'Insp General Kayihura said he believed Somalia's militant group al-Shabab could be behind Sunday evening's attack. If true, it would be the first time the group has carried out attacks outside Somalia.
In Mogadishu, an al-Shabab commander said he was "happy" with the attacks in Uganda.
But Sheik Yusuf Sheik Issa refused to confirm or deny that al-Shabab was responsible.
SHOCK IN UGANDA
People are nervous and scared. They were running home and telling their relatives, and telling them to stay indoors.
In the rugby club, where the biggest crowd had gathered, the explosion occurred right in the middle of the crowd. People who were seated in the outer parts of the crowd were not affected as much as those seated in the middle.
The police are saying they tried to put in place as much security as they could, but it seems clear that the police had no clue about how the bombs got in those places.
Nobody expected this to happen in a World Cup final. One would have thought that whoever did this would have waited for another time. It is just a time when people are making merry and very excited about the World Cup final, then this happens. It is quite shocking.
He told AP news agency: "Uganda is one of our enemies. Whatever makes them cry, makes us happy. May Allah's anger be upon those who are against us."
Insp General Kayihura, speaking at the scene of one blast, said: "The information we have indicates the people who have attacked the Ethiopian Village were probably targeting expatriates."
US President Barack Obama said the explosions were "deplorable and cowardly".
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the US would work with the Ugandan government "to bring the perpetrators of this crime to justice".
The US embassy in Kampala has confirmed that one American was among the dead.
"The nationalities of all the fatalities will be released later," said police spokeswoman Judith Nabakooba.
'Screaming and running'At least three Americans, members of a Church group from Pennsylvania, were wounded at the Ethiopian restaurant.
One, Kris Sledge, 18, said from his hospital bed: "I remember blacking out, hearing people screaming and running."
Mr Sledge, of Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, who had a bandaged leg and burns on his face, told AP: "I love the place here, but I'm wondering why this happened and who did this. At this point we're just glad to be alive."
At the scenes of the two blasts chairs were overturned, and blood and pieces of flesh lay on the floor.
This is truly Horrible,l will be posting some pictures for you to see our dear Borthers and sister who killed so mercilessly
