Uganda
Terrorist attack in Kampala killed and injured
Security forces secure the place where the explosions occurred. Photo: Hajarah Nalwadda / AP / dpa
© dpa-infocom GmbH
Attackers set off several explosive devices near the parliament building in the capital of Uganda. There are dead and injured.
Six people died in an attack in Uganda’s capital Kampala. Three suicide bombers set off explosives in two places in the city center, as police spokesman Fred Enanga announced at a press conference on Tuesday.
Among the dead were the attackers – rebels from the Islamist Allied Democratic Forces (ADF). 33 people were injured, according to Enanga.
The police spokesman said the attackers were members of a local ADF cell. In March, the US government classified the ADF as a terrorist organization because it is believed to be an offshoot of the Islamic State (IS) militia.
The first explosion occurred at 10.03 local time (08.03 CET) near the central police station in Kampala, the police said. Three minutes later, two more assassins, disguised as motorcycle messengers, are said to have detonated the next explosive devices near the parliament. Another suspect was arrested and led the police to a bomb. It had been defused, said Enanga.
Footage of burning vehicles and clouds of smoke were shared on social media. According to media reports, people were thrown to the ground by the violent explosions. The parliamentary sessions have been suspended until further notice. Many streets in the city are said to be closed.