Uganda engaged in Somalia, hit by a double bloody attack

(BRUXELLES2 maj ) 76 dead in Kampala, at the latest assessment, and around sixty injured, some of them seriously and still in hospital. The Ugandan capital was rocked on Sunday evening by two series of explosions which hit two bars, overcrowded at the time, where the final of the FIFA World Cup was taking place. Attacks designed to kill as many people as possible, preferably foreigners. One targeted the Ethiopian Bar in the Kabalagala neighborhood at around 22 p.m. The other was aimed, an hour later, at the Kyadondo Rugby Club, where several hundred spectators were gathered outside, in front of the screens. A double explosion was heard. This is where the victims would have been the most numerous. A US national is believed to be among the victims.

All eyes naturally turn to the Islamist networks, the Shebabs in particular. These Islamist forces present in Somalia have repeatedly threatened the Ugandan government, again quite recently when IGAD decided to strengthen AMISOM (1). We can also point out that the UPDF (the Ugandan forces) has led a vast offensive in recent days against the LRA (Lord's Resistance Army = Lord's Resistance Army) in northern Uganda, by bringing into the Central African Republic a force of several thousand soldiers.

Uganda is strongly committed to the attempt of the African Union (and the international community) to restore some semblance of existence to Somalia (a failed state by definition). It thus provides (with Burundi) the troops of AMISOM (the stabilization force in Somalia), has trained several hundred members of the Somali security forces. It is still hosting, at the moment, in Bihanga, a full contingent of Somali soldiers, trained by the Europeans (EUTM Somalia (2)). Reinforced security measures should soon be taken both at European HQ in Kampala and at the Bihanga training camp. The latter, located several hours by road from Kampala, has the advantage of being out of the way. Placed on a small height, it physically reduces the chances of attackers and allows better surveillance.

(Nicolas Gros-Verheyde)

(1) African States decide to strengthen AMISOM

(2) EUTM Somalia starts (6). Interview with General Wamala (UPDF)

(photo credit: New vision)