Thaindian News

KAMPALA, UGANDA (BNO NEWS) — At least 64 people were killed and scores of others were injured after three bombs exploded at World Cup viewing parties in the Ugandan capital on late Sunday, police said, in what appeared to be a coordinated terrorist attack.

The first blast happened at around 10.25 p.m. local time in an Ethiopian restaurant in Kabalagala, a neighborhood in Kampala, while the 2010 World Cup final between the Netherlands and Spain was underway.

Later, at 11.15 p.m. local time, two bombs exploded at Kyadondo Rugby Club in the Kampala neighborhood of Nakawa. Both exploded seconds apart as hundreds had gathered to watch the final match of the World Cup.

A spokesman for the Ugandan government, Fred Opolot, said 64 people had been killed. “57 have been admitted in various hospitals and 14 treated for minor injuries and discharged,” he said.

Opolot said identification and trauma centers were set up at Mulago Hospital and International Hospital Kampala. “H.E. The President will be inspecting the scene of these criminal incidents and also visit the injured persons admitted in various hospitals,” he added.

“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.”

Opolot said the government conveyed its condolences to the families of the victims and asks the public to remain calm.

Eleven foreigners were among those killed in the attacks, ten of them Eritreans and one American. The American was identified as Nate Henn, who worked for California-based aid group ‘Invisible Children.’

Henn was at the Kyadondo Rugby Club when the bomb exploded, fatally injuring him. “It is with deep sadness that we write to tell you that one of our dear friends has been lost in the terrorist attack earlier today in Kampala,” a statement from the aid group said.

“Nate worked with us at Invisible Children for a year and a half and leaves behind a legacy of honor, integrity, and service. From traveling the United States without pay advocating for the freedom of abducted child soldiers in Joseph Kony’s war, to raising thousands of dollars to put war-affected Ugandan students in school, Nate lived a life that demanded explanation,” the statement said. “He sacrificed his comfort to live in the humble service of God and of a better world, and his is a life to be emulated.”

‘Invisible Children’ said Henn went to visit Uganda to see the homeland of friends he had made on tour. “His love for the Ugandan students he had worked with is exemplified by the deep friendships he forged with them,” the organization said.

“He was not serving some idea of down-trodden Africa. He was serving Innocent, Tony, Boni, Ronald, Papito, Sunday and Lilian. These are some of our Ugandan students who fell in love with Nate’s wit, strength, character and steadfast friendship. They gave him the Acholi name “Oteka”, which means “The Strong One.” Some of them were with him at the time of the attack.”

Details on the ten Eritreans who were killed in the attacks were not immediately available.

Rev. Kathleen Kind, pastor of the Christ Community United Methodist Church in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, said six of its members had been injured in the blasts.

“All of our members are accounted for [and] all of their families have been contacted,” Kind said. “And the church is now together praying, here in the church and in their homes, for all of their members.”

Kind said some of their members sustained broken bones, flesh wounds, temporary blindness and hearing problems. She said the members had been serving as part of a mission team to work with a local congregation.

It was not immediately clear who was behind the bombings, which appeared to be a coordinated terrorist attack, and a police spokeswoman said it was too early to point fingers. “We have just begun our investigation,” she said.

Police Major General Kale Kayihura, however, said the attacks were targeting football fans and said he believed al-Shabaab militants from Somalia could be behind it. There were also signs that suicide bombers may have carried out the attacks.

A White House spokesman said President Barack Obama had been informed about the tragedy and sent his condolences to the people of Uganda. Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton released a personal statement on early Monday.

“I join President Obama in strongly condemning today’s attacks in Kampala, Uganda targeting innocent spectators watching the World Cup final,” Clinton said. “We understand that American citizens may have been injured or killed and our embassy is reaching out to assist. Our condolences go out to the families and friends of the victims, in the United States and Uganda.”

Clinton continued by saying that the United States has a ‘long-standing, close friendship’ with the people and government of Uganda and pledged to work together to bring the perpetrators of the attacks to justice. “At this tragic moment, the United States stands with Uganda.”

The United Kingdom also condemned the attacks. “I was deeply shocked to hear of the bomb attacks that took place in Kampala last night, which left many people dead and injured,” said UK Foreign Secretary William Hague. “I send my heartfelt sympathies to President Museveni and the people of Uganda, in particular the families and friends of those who lost their lives, and wish a full and speedy recovery to those who were injured.”

“These were cowardly attacks during an event that was widely seen as a celebration of African unity, and I condemn them in the strongest possible terms. The UK will stand with Uganda in fighting such brutal acts of violence and terror.”