Uganda: Football fans killed in blasts
Three explosions went off Sunday 11th July in two locations in Uganda where supporters had gathered to watch the World Cup Final. Police spokeswoman Judith Nabakooba confirmed that so far 64 people have died in the blasts at the viewing sites that were set up by New Vision, a Ugandan daily newspaper. A further 70 were injured in the explosions that hit a rugby club and an Ethiopian restaurant, Ethiopian Village. She verified that the explosions were caused by bombs, but declined to comment on possible al-Shabaab involvement.
Al-Shabaab is an Islamist insurgency group in the ongoing war in Somalia. It has previously threatened to attack Uganda. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni was reported as saying that he would crush the outfit if they attempted an attack. Felix Kulaije, an army spokesman, believes that it is indeed al-Shabaab because ‘they’ve been promising this for so long’. He told Reuters that ‘at one of the scenes, investigators identified a severed head of a Somali national, which we suspect could have been a suicide bomber’.
One witness, Juma Seiko, said that ‘we were watching soccer here and then when there were three minutes to the end of the match an explosion came… and it was so loud’. Police said it is possible that the attacks at Ethiopian Village and the rugby club were targeted at foreigners.
The Uganda Media Centre released the following Press Release earlier today (12th July):
“Three explosive devices were detonated last night, Sunday 11 July 2010, at approximately 22:25 at Ethiopian Village Restaurant and 23:15 at Kyadondo Rugby Club, in Kampala, during the televised World Cup 2010 finals.
64 persons have been confirmed dead. 57 have been admitted in various hospitals and 14 treated for minor injuries and discharged.
Identification and trauma centers are being set up at Mulago Hospital and International Hospital Kampala. Toll free numbers for investigations and other queries shall be communicated.
H.E The President will be inspecting the scene of these criminal incidents and also visit the injured persons admitted in various hospitals.
The public is reminded to be vigilant in regards to security and report any suspicious activities to the police. Investigations are ongoing and further information shall be availed later today.
Government of Uganda does convey its condolences to the bereaved families and requests the public to remain calm.”
UPDATE: National Week of Mourning Announced/Kibaki denounces bombing ‘cowards’
In a press release by Dr. Wabudeya Beatrice (MP), Minister in Charge of the Presidency, it is said that:
‘Due to the barbaric and cowardly act in which over 65 Ugandans were killed and several others injured by bombs blasts at the Kyaddondo rugby grounds and in Kabalagala as they watched a World Cup final football match on 11th July 2010; and under the powers conferred upon him by the constitution; his excellency the president of the Republic of Uganda has decalred one week of national mourning for the victims of the bomb blasts beginning Tuesday 13th July 2010.
‘During this period, all flags on public buildings will fly at half mast. All Ugandans are required to observe these national days of mourning’.
President Mwai Kibaki of Kenya has sent his condolences to the Ugandan Premier Yoweri Museveni. In his message Kibaki condemned, in the strongest terms possible, the heinous and cowardly act of attacking innocent people.
Describing as monstrous the evil act of terrorism and wanton destruction of life, Kibaki observed that the time was ripe for governments to strengthen their collective resolve to promote a culture of peace and tolerance within the region. This raises questions as to whether President Museveni will stay true to his word and clamp down on the perpetrators.
Kibaki went on to say that the Kenyan government will fully support the efforts of Ugandan security personnel in tracking down the culprits – although the al-Qaeda-linked militants al-Shabab have already claimed that they were behind the blasts.
The Kenyan President prayed to Almighty God to grant the people of Uganda courage and strength at this difficult time assuring that Kenyans stood with their brothers and sisters in Uganda during this difficult time of grief. Kibaki wished all those who sustained injuries and are recuperating in various hospitals a speedy recovery. He prayed to God to rest souls of the departed in eternal peace.
The Ugandan police force has called ‘upon each and every member of the public to be aware of this threat and join the Police and other security agencies to fight and prevent its occurrence once again’. The force, and indeed many others, are aware that these events could have been prevented had basic security arrangements and precautionary measurements been enforced at respective venues.
The police have called upon the public to be calm and not panic in the face of terrorist attacks; ‘by working together we shall defeat the terrorists’, the police report said.
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