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Uganda explosions leave 64 dead Uganda explosions leave 64 dead
(40 minutes later)
At least 64 people, including an American, have been killed in twin blasts in the Ugandan capital Kampala. At least 64 people have died in two 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. Another 70 were injured by the explosions, which hit a rugby club and an Ethiopian restaurant as football fans watched the World Cup final.
"These bombs were definitely targeting World Cup crowds," Inspector General of Police Kale Kayihura said."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. Ugandan peacekeepers operate in Mogadishu, Somalia, and the country's al-Qaeda-linked militants have in the past threatened to hit Kampala.
About 5,000 African Union troops from Uganda and Burundi are based in Mogadishu to protect the fragile interim government.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. The African Union Mission in Somalia (Amisom) force is engaged in frequent firefights with Islamist insurgents which control much of southern and central Somalia.
Obama 'deeply saddened'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. The explosions, about 10km (seven miles) apart, both caused death and injury, although many more people died at the crowded rugby club.
In Mogadishu, an al-Shabab commander said he was "happy" with the attacks in Uganda. Some 49 people died there as they watched the World Cup on a large screen, police said. Another 15 were killed at the Ethiopian Village.
But Sheik Yusuf Sheik Issa refused to confirm or deny that al-Shabab was responsible.
People are nervous and scared. They are running home and telling their relatives, and telling them to stay indoors.People are nervous and scared. They are 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.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.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.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." At both scenes chairs lay overturned, with blood and pieces of flesh on the floor.
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." Many - if not most - of those killed and injured were foreign nationals, with both venues popular destinations for expatriates living in Kampala.
US President Barack Obama said the explosions were "deplorable and cowardly". However, the crowd at the rugby club was usually a mix of Ugandans and foreigners, the police chief said.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the US would work with the Ugandan government "to bring the perpetrators of this crime to justice". There were reports that a severed head was found at one of the scenes, leading investigators to suggest that the attacks could have been the work of suicide bombers.
The US embassy in Kampala has confirmed that one American was among the dead. Insp Gen Kayihura said he believed Somalia's militant group al-Shabab could be behind Sunday evening's attacks.
"The nationalities of all the fatalities will be released later," said police spokeswoman Judith Nabakooba. In particular, the attack on the Ethiopian-owned restaurant raised suspicions of al-Shabab involvement: Addis Ababa backs Somalia's government against the rebels.
If true, it would be al-Shabab first time the group has carried out attacks outside Somalia.
But the BBC's Will Ross, in the Kenyan capital Nairobi, says there is no proof as yet that al-Shabab was involved. The blasts could be linked to next year's elections in Uganda, our correspondent adds.
In Mogadishu, a militant commander said he was "happy" with the attacks in Uganda.
However, Sheik Yusuf Sheik Issa refused to confirm or deny that al-Shabab was responsible.
He told the Associated Press 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."
'Screaming and running''Screaming and running'
At least three Americans, members of a Church group from Pennsylvania, were wounded at the Ethiopian restaurant.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."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."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. 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.
Are you in Kampala? Did you witness the explosions? Send us your eyewitness accounts using the form below.Are you in Kampala? Did you witness the explosions? Send us your eyewitness accounts using the form below.