Today, July 11, 2025, marks 15 years since the devastating Kyadondo bombings in Kampala, Uganda. On July 11, 2010, Al-Shabaab militants carried out twin suicide bombings at the Kyadondo Rugby Club and Ethiopian Village restaurant, killing 74 people and injuring 85 others. The attacks occurred during a screening of the FIFA World Cup Final, and many of the victims were watching the match.
The Attacks
- The first bombing occurred at the Ethiopian Village restaurant in Kabalagala, killing 15 people, with many victims being foreigners.
- The second attack happened at Kyadondo Rugby Club, where two explosions went off in quick succession, killing 49 people directly in front of a large screen showing the telecast from South Africa.
- A third unexploded vest was later found at the scene.
Perpetrators and Motivations
- Al-Shabaab, an Islamist militia with ties to al-Qaeda, claimed responsibility for the attacks as retaliation for Uganda’s support of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).
- The group’s leader, Sheikh Mukhtar Robow, had called for attacks against Uganda and Burundi due to their involvement in Somalia.
Aftermath and Legacy
- The trial of 13 suspected perpetrators, including Kenyan, Ugandan, and Tanzanian nationals, began in March 2015.
- Seven men were convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment or 50 years in prison for their roles in the bombings.
- Survivors of the bombings have struggled to recover from the traumatic experience, with many still seeking proper psychological treatment and support.
- The attacks highlighted the reach and impact of terrorism, prompting strong reactions and solidarity from the global community.
