Alert as terrorists bomb Kampala

• Kenya steps up border security as 74 people killed in Uganda attack for which Somali group al-Shabaab claims responsibility

Kenya was on Monday under heightened security after terrorist bombs killed 74 people in Kampala.

Somali militant group al-Shabaab, on Monday claimed responsibility for Sunday’s twin- bomb attacks in the Ugandan capital on Sunday night and slaughtered people watching the World Cup final at a restaurant and a sports club, authorities said.

One bombing targeted the Ethiopian Village restaurant, a popular night spot that was heaving with soccer fans and is frequented by foreigners, while the second one struck the Kyadondo Rugby Club that was also showing the match.

Coordinated attacks are a hallmark of al Qaeda and groups linked to Osama bin Laden’s militant network.

The al-Shabaab claims reaffirmed earlier suspicion by the Inspector General of Police, Maj-Gen Kale Kayihura, that the militant group that claims links with al Qaeda was behind the deadly attacks, after the severed head of a suspected suicide bomber was found at one of the blast sites.

Al Shahid, a Somali news agency, quoted a senior member of al-Shabaab saying the blasts were a retaliatory attack on Uganda for sending peace-keepers to Somalia to support the government of President Sheikh Sherif.

“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,” a witness, Mr Juma Seiko, said at the rugby club.

The extremist group has threatened Uganda because the country has contributed soldiers to an African Union force supporting the transitional government in the lawless country.

In a BBC interview on Monday evening, the leader of the same group, Mohammed Godane, made definite claim that they had attacked Kampala.

Deputy police spokesman Charles Wahong’o said Kenya, which had beefed up security especially along its border with Somalia, was heightening its vigilance.

Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni on Monday visited the bomb blast scenes under heavy security, offering public support to victims’ families and vowing to track down the terrorists.

Official count

Kenya put its hospitals and other medical facilities and personnel at Uganda’s disposal should that become necessary.

The two countries are partners with Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi in the East African Community, whose charter requires them to help each other in times of distress.

Public Health director Shanaaz Sharif told the Daily Nation that the country was willing to treat the injured if that became necessary, adding that no request for help had been made.

In Kampala, a Ugandan Government spokesman said: “The latest official count is 74 confirmed dead.”

Earlier, officials had said 64 people were killed and as many wounded in the blasts.

President Kibaki joined world leaders, including US President Barack Obama, in condemning the attack.