DATE=2/15/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-245547
TITLE=UGANDA BOMBINGS (L/S VER) CQ
BYLINE=ELAINE ELIAH
DATELINE=KAMPALA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: FOUR PEOPLE ARE REPORTED DEAD AND OVER 30 OTHERS INJURED
AFTER TWO BOMBS EXPLODED AT POPULAR NIGHTSPOTS NEAR THE UGANDAN
CAPITAL OF KAMPALA LATE SUNDAY. REPORTER ELAINE ELIAH SAYS THIS
IS THE LATEST IN A SERIES OF BOMBINGS WHICH HAVE PLAGUED THE
NATION FOR NEARLY A YEAR.
TEXT: INITIAL POLICE REPORTS SAY THE DEVICES THAT EXPLODED IN
TWO SUBURBAN BARS WERE HOMEMADE PIPE BOMBS. THE POLICE SAY THEY
WERE CARRIED INTO THE CROWDED NIGHTSPOTS HIDDEN INSIDE BAGS.
SECURITY OFFICIALS BELIEVE THE BOMBS WERE PLANTED BY AN URBAN
BAND OF A REBEL GROUP CALLED THE ALLIED DEMOCRATIC FORCES, OR
A-D-F, WHO REPORTEDLY USE BASES IN EASTERN CONGO-KINSHASA TO
LAUNCH THEIR ATTACKS OVER UGANDA'S WESTERN BORDER.
THE A-D-F WAS IMPLICATED LAST YEAR WHEN 40 SUSPECTS, MOSTLY
MOSLEM, WERE TAKEN INTO CUSTODY FOLLOWING ANOTHER SERIES OF
BOMBINGS IN UGANDA. THE SUSPECTS HAVE SINCE BEEN CHARGED WITH
TREASON. SECURITY OFFICIALS BELIEVE THE A-D-F PLACED SUNDAY'S
BOMBS TO LET THE GOVERNMENT KNOW THEY WERE STILL ACTIVE.
// REST OPT //
LAST APRIL MARKED THE FIRST INCIDENTS IN UGANDA WHERE TIMED
EXPLOSIVE DEVICES WERE USED IN TERRORIST ATTACKS. THE TWO APRIL
EXPLOSIONS ALSO TARGETED POPULAR NIGHTSPOTS, AS DID A PAIR OF
BOMBS LAST JULY THAT EXPLODED THE NIGHT KAMPALA SPORTS FANS HAD
ASSEMBLED TO WATCH THE FINAL MATCH OF THE WORLD CUP. AUGUST SAW
AN ADDITIONAL THREE BOMBS PUT ON BUSES DEPARTING THE CAPITAL FOR
CITIES AROUND UGANDA.
SUNDAY'S EXPLOSIONS OCCURRED AS RESIDENTS GATHERED TO CELEBRATE
VALENTINE'S DAY WITH LOVED ONES, SO THE POPULAR BLOCK OF
RESTAURANTS AND BARS WAS EVEN MORE CROWDED THAN USUAL. (SIGNED)
NEB/EE/PCF/RAE
15-Feb-99 9:14 AM EST (1414 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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