Uganda: One killed in a bomb attack at Kampala bar

One person has been killed and three others injured in a bomb attack in Uganda’s capital, Kampala.

The explosion happened at a bar on Saturday night, killing a 20-year-old waitress and scattering panicked revelers onto the street outside.

Three suspected bombers disguised themselves as customers before planting the explosives under a table, police say.

The Islamic State group (IS) later said it was behind the attack.

The explosion comes one week after the UK government issued an alert about terrorism in Uganda.

It warned British citizens in the East African country – where attacks of this kind are rare – that “terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks”. It advised them to be vigilant at public places, including restaurants and bars.

Police have cordoned off the scene of the blast – a venue popular for roasted pork and beer in a largely residential area on the city’s outskirts.

A local mayor told the BBC the community was fearful and wondered why anyone would target their neighborhood.

Police spokesman Fred Enanga said the bombers ordered food and drinks at the bar, before placing a plastic bag under a table. The explosion went off moments after they left.

Investigators have found nails, ball bearings, and other metal fragments, Mr. Enanga added, suggesting the explosion was caused by an improvised explosive device.

Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni said on Twitter that the blast was a terrorist act and promised to catch the perpetrators.

“The public should not fear, we shall defeat this criminality like we have defeated all the other criminality committed by the pigs who don’t respect life,” he said.

In 2010, 74 people were killed in bomb blasts that went off at venues in Kampala where football fans were watching the screening of the World Cup final. The masterminds of the attacks, from the Islamist militant group al-Shabab, are serving life sentences.

Source: bbc.com