Al-Qaeda Affiliated al-Shabaab Kills Dozens in Uganda in Coordinated Bombing Strikes During World Cup Gatherings

At Jihad Watch, "Dozens killed in multiple bombings in Uganda, police chief suspects al-Qaeda."

And NY Times, "Bombers Strike in Uganda at World Cup Gatherings":

At least three bombs exploded Sunday in a synchronized attack on large gatherings of World Cup soccer fans watching the televised final on outdoor projection screens in this normally peaceful capital, turning a boisterous night of cheering into scenes of death and panic. The police said at least 23 people were killed, including one American, and projected that the death toll would rise.

The bombs struck at 10:30 p.m. local time in the middle of the match between Spain and the Netherlands under way in South Africa, hitting a popular Ethiopian garden restaurant and a large rugby field in a different Kampala neighborhood where more than 100 people had massed to watch the game.

Ugandan police officials said they suspected that the Shabab, a militant Islamic group in nearby Somalia, might have been behind the bombings. If so, it would be that group’s first attack beyond Somalia’s borders. But the police cautioned that it was premature to draw conclusions.

“We can’t rule anything out,” said Kale Kayihura, Uganda’s police inspector general, at the scene of one of the attacks. “This was obviously terrorism, from the way it was targeted at World Cup watchers in public places.”

Local reports place the death toll much higher. See, "Over 50 dead as three bomb blasts rock Ugandan capital Kampala, terrorist attack possible: official."

And at WSJ, "Blasts Kill 64 in Uganda": "Americans were among the casualties."

*********

UPDATE: NY Times has revised its report, "Bombers Kill at Least 50 in Attacks in Uganda Capital":

The police and witnesses said more than 50 people were killed, including some foreigners, among them at least one American.