Violence

Twin Blasts Rock Uganda, Killing 64

Group linked to al Qaeda is suspected.

In a tragic aside to today's World Cup festivities, two bombs killed at least 64 people—including one American—in Uganda's capital, Kampala. The explosions went off at two restaurants where people had gathered to watch the televised World Cup final between Spain and the Netherlands. Kampala Police Chief Kale Kaihura said today he believes that the Somali Al-Shabab militia, which has pledged loyalty to al Qaeda but has never attacked outside of Somalia, may be responsible for the blasts. The deadlier of the two blasts took place at a rugby club, and the other explosion took place at an Ethiopian restaurant, where three Americans were wounded; Al-Shabab is an avowed enemy of Ethiopia. According to an AP reporter on the scene at the rugby club, evidence suggests that a suicide bomber may be to blame. Kris Sledge, an 18 year-old Pennsylvania native who was wounded at the Ethiopian restaurant, said, "I remember blacking out, hearing people screaming and running...At this point we're just glad to be alive." An Al-Shabab leader did not accept culpability for the attack, but offered a chilling reaction: “Uganda is one of our enemies. Whatever makes them cry, makes us happy.”