| 2021 Uganda bombings | |
|---|---|
| Part of theAllied Democratic Forces insurgency | |
| Location | Kampala (first and fourth attacks) Mpigi District (second attack) Nakaseke District (third attack) |
| Date | 23 October 25 October 29 October 16 November |
| Target | Civilians, security forces |
Attack type | Bombings,suicide bombings |
| Weapons | IED,Explosive belt |
| Deaths | 11 (including four perpetrators) |
| Injured | 39 |
| Perpetrators | Islamic State – Central Africa Province |
| Motive | Islamic extremism |
From late October to mid November 2021, theIslamic State organization carried out fourbombing attacks acrossUganda.
The Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) is anIslamic extremistterrorist group originated in Uganda but is based in the nearbyDemocratic Republic of the Congo. Thegroup's insurgency began in 1996; it kills hundreds of civilians every year, mainly by attacking villages. The most deadly ADF attack in Uganda was on 8 June 1998, when the group attacked theUganda Technical College, Kichwamba inKabarole District, killing 80 students and abducting about 100.[1] In 1997, another major attack was carried out, when the group threw bombs into taxis and public buildings,[2] killing more than 50 people and wounding about 160 others.[3]
On 11 July 2010,suicide bombings were carried out against crowds watching a screening of2010 FIFA World Cup Final match during theWorld Cup at two locations inKampala. The attacks killed 74 people and wounded 70 more.Al-Shabaab, ajihadistSomali terrorist group, claimed responsibility for the attacks as retaliation for Ugandan support forAMISOM.[4]
After 11 years of relative calm, the ADF targeted Uganda in 2021 with the help of Islamic State-linked terrorists.
On 1 June, GeneralKatumba Wamala was travelling in a vehicle when four gunmen appeared and opened fire, wounding Wamala and killing his driver and his daughter.[5][6][7][8] A month later, the authorities revealed that the attackers were Islamic extremists who were trained in a jihadist camp inNorth Kivu, Congo, and had links with the ADF and the Islamic State.[9]
On 27 August, the authorities arrested an ADF member for planning a suicide bombing attack at the funeral of a police commander, who was a major figure in the arrest of group's members.[10] Between July and August, at least 25 civilians were killed inLwengo andMasaka. The victims were killed in their houses and in the streets by knifemen during the night. While the motive behind the killings and the identities of the perpetrators is not confirmed so far, authorities suspected that ADF terrorists were behind the murders.[11]
On 8 October, Islamic State militants bombed a police post inKawempe. Nobody was injured in the attack. It was the first time that the Islamic State claimed responsibility for an attack in Uganda.[12]
On 14 October, the United Kingdom issued a warning of an imminent terrorist attack, calling on their nationals to be extremely vigilant about their security "especially in crowded and public places like hotels, transport hubs, restaurants and bars, and during major gatherings like sporting or religious events."[13] The Uganda Police Force issued a statement urging the public to keep calm as they "continue to review our security posture across the country which continues to be maintained as normal."[14] The attacks are believed to be a retaliation for the recent round-up by the Ugandan police against persons believed to have links withIslamic State – Central Africa Province (IS-CAP). Uganda has also openly offered to help Congo fight the group and has maintained that all that is required is greenlight fromKinshasa to deploy toBeni.[citation needed]
At 9 p.m. on 23 October, a bomb exploded in a bar in Komamboga, a suburb inKawempe North, Kampala, killing a waitress and injuring three other people.[15] Three men, pretending to be customers, brought the bomb into the restaurant in a polythene bag and left it under a table, leaving before it exploded.[15] On 24 October, the Islamic State claimed responsibility, saying they targeted the establishment because it is frequented by government employees.[15]
At 5 p.m. on 25 October, a suicide bomber blew himself up on a bus in Lungala,Mpigi District, carrying 52 passengers. Three people were wounded in the attack.[16] The bus was travelling betweenMasaka and Kampala. The attacker was the only one who died in the incident. A day later, authorities identified him as a member of the ADF.[17]
On 29 October, two children were killed during a bomb explosion at a village inNakaseke District. The device looked like an exotic "jackfruit" and was given to the children while they were playing. The victims were a 14-year-old and a disabled child.[18]
On 16 November, at around 10:03 a.m., three suicide bombers attacked two targets in Kampala within three minutes of each other. The first bomber blew himself up at checkpoint of the Central Police Station (CPS) just opposite Kooki Towers building along Buganda Road, killing two people and injuring several others, including police officers at the entrance of the police station. The explosion shattered glass windows on the CPS building and the Kooki Tower building. Two other bombers then exploded at Jubilee House along Parliamentary Avenue about 100 meters from the entrance of theParliament, killing two more people and injuring many others. The people killed were three civilians and one policeman. Thirty-three more were injured, including five in critical conditions.[19] More bombs have been found in other parts of the city.[20] The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attacks.[21] Security forces killed seven suspects and arrested 106 more in connection to the attack days later.[22]