As crowds gathered to watch the World Cup final at a rugby club and a restaurant in Uganda's capital, explosions ripped through simultaneously and killed at least 64 people, including one American. Police are fearing an al-Qaida linked Somali militant group is responsible for these attacks.
The blasts happened as people watched the game between Spain and the Netherlands late Sunday. The rugby club attack, where crowds were sitting outside watching on a large TV left 49 dead. In the restaurant explosion 15 people died.
Witness Juma Seiko said this:
"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."
Americans from a PA church group were injured in the restaurant attack.
Kris Sledge,18, who was one of the Americans from PA that was wounded said this:
"I remember blacking out, hearing people screaming and running. 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."
His right leg was wrapped up and he had burns on his face.
The police chief in Kampala believes that Somalia's most feared militant group, al-Shabab could be responsible for the attack. If the susipcions are true, this would be the first time that al-Shabab has carried out attacks outside of Somalia.
These explosions had come just two days after an al-Shabab commander, Sheik Muktar Robow called for militants to attack sites in Uganda and Burundi. These two nations contribute troops to the African Union peacekeeping force in Somalia.
A spokesman for the White House, Thomas Vietor said the U.S was prepared to provide any assistance if necessary to the Ugandan government.
Vietor also said that President Barack Obama was "deeply saddened by the loss of life resulting from these deplorable and cowardly attacks."
Joining Obama in offering condolences was U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. She said this:
"The United States stands with Uganda. We have a long standing, close friendship with the people and government of Uganda and will work with them to bring the perpetrators of this crime to justice."
How sad is that. Just watching a game and people die. Hopefully they will catch who is behind this and justice is served, for what they have done is horrible and unfair.
Article source: MSNBC
Photo credit: PicApp
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