Twin blasts in Uganda capital Kampala 'kill 23 people'

Monday, 12 July 2010

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At least 23 people, including one American, have been killed in twin blast in the Ugandan capital Kampala.

It is not known what caused the blasts, which police said went off at a rugby club and at a restaurant, as football fans watched the World Cup final.

"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.

Obama 'deeply saddened'

Mr Kayihura said he believed Somalia's militant group al-Shabab could be behind the attack.

"The information we have indicates 13 people have died here at the Ethiopian Village [restaurant] and many others are injured and more than 10 people are reported to have died at the rugby club," Mr Kayihura said at the scene of one blast.

"The information we have indicates the people who have attacked the Ethiopian Village were probably targeting expatriates," he added.

US President Barack Obama said the explosions were "deplorable and cowardly".

US National Security Council spokesman Mike Hammer said in a statement: "The president is deeply saddened by the loss of life resulting from these deplorable and cowardly attacks, and sends his condolences to the people of Uganda and the loved ones of those who have been killed or injured.

"The United States is ready to provide any assistance requested by the Ugandan government."

The US embassy in Kampala has confirmed that one American was among the dead.

At the scenes of the two blasts chairs were overturned. Blood and pieces of flesh littered the floor.

Police said it was possible those behind the attacks were targetting foreigners.

About 5,000 African Union troops from Uganda and Burundi are based in the Somali capital 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.