South Sudan urges nationals to avoid large gatherings after Uganda terror attacks

JUBA – The South Sudanese government has advised its citizens in Uganda to avoid large gatherings in the wake of a terror attack that killed at least three people and wounded several others in the capital, Kampala Tuesday.

Three attackers on motorbikes blew themselves up near parliament in the centre of Uganda’s capital during rush hour in an attack later claimed by the Islamic State group.

South Sudan’s deputy Foreign Affairs minister, Deng Dau Malek, said on Tuesday that his government regrets the incident in Uganda’s capital, equating it to the work of dark forces hell-bent on destabilizing a country.

“We have received reports corroborating the media reports of a blast which occurred this morning in Kampala, which is a regrettable incident. It is the work of the dark forces who want to destabilize the security of Uganda and put the lives and safety of people at risk. Because of this, we advised our embassy in Kampala to further advise our people in Kampala and in other urban areas to avoid going to areas where there are large crowds, large gatherings,” he said, according to Sudan Tribune.

Uganda’s police spokesperson, Fred Enanga was quoted saying 33 people were injured in the blast which mainly targeted government buildings and police stations.

At least 23 of those injured in the attack were police officers, media reports show.

“Two suicide bombers were clearly captured on CCTV cameras, on motorcycles, disguising as Boda Boda riders. They detonated the bombs they were carrying on themselves that killed them instantly,” Enanga told reporters in Kampala Tuesday.

The police spokesperson said the fourth suicide bomber was arrested in Bwaise after he was shot and disabled by counter-terrorism operatives.

The attacks come barely a month after the last suicide bomb attack on a Swift Safaris Bus, which took place on October 25, 2021.

According to police, the explosions carried out by suspected domestic terrorists are linked to Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) using Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).