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Kampala Saturday Blast (IS) Claims Responsibility

 

Police at scene of blast
Police  cordoned off the scene of the blast at Digida Bar in Komamboga  Kampala

One person, a 20 year old waitress was  killed and three others injured in a bomb attack on Saturday night at Digida Bar in Komamboga suburb in Uganda’s capital, Kampala.

The explosion happened at Digida bar on Saturday night, killing a 20-year-old waitress and sending the rest of  revellers on to the streets to save their lives.

Three suspected bombers disguised themselves as customers before planting the explosives under a table, police stated.

The Islamic State group (IS) later said it was behind the attack.

The explosion comes days after the UK government issued an alert about terrorism in Uganda.

It warned British citizens in the East African country – where attacks of this kind are rare – that “terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks”. It advised them to be vigilant at public places, including restaurants and bars.

Ugandan Police came out to assure everybody that police was very much on top of security in the country and that citizens and foreigners should remain calm and go about their business.

Police  cordoned off the scene of the blast – a bar which is popular for roasted pork and beer in a largely residential area on the city’s outskirts. Despite sanctions on curfew and suspended bar operations close to two years now, Digida Bar has always been operating unabated. Locals claim that government and police vehicles are ever a spectre at the venue.

IMAGE SOURCE, REUTERS
Forensic teams have been scouring the site for evidence

A local mayor told the media that the community were terrified and wondered why anyone would target their neighbourhood.

Police spokesman Fred Enanga said the bombers ordered food and drinks at the bar, before placing a plastic bag under a table. The explosion went off moments after they left.

Investigators have found nails, ball bearings and other metal fragments, Mr Enanga added, suggesting the explosion was caused by an improvised explosive device.

Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni Tibuhaburwa said on Twitter that the blast was a terrorist act and promised to catch the perpetrators.

“The public should not fear, we shall defeat this criminality like we have defeated all the other criminality committed by the pigs who don’t respect life,” he said.

In 2010, 74 people were killed in bomb blasts that went off at venues in Kampala where football fans were watching the screening of the World Cup final. The masterminds of the attacks, from the Islamist militant group al-Shabab, are serving life sentences.

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