GlobeMed’s Response to Bombings in Uganda
by Ankur Asthana on July 12, 2010
Dear GlobeMedders:
In light of yesterday's bombings in Kampala, we would like to update you on GlobeMed's response.
First, everyone close to GlobeMed is fine. We have heard from all of the students that have been or are in Uganda currently, as well as our partner organizations in country, and everyone is safe.
As you know we currently have one team in Uganda (WashU) and have more teams traveling in the near future. In conjunction with the Northwestern University study abroad office, we are monitoring the situation closely. As per Northwestern University policy, we will follow the guidelines of the US State Department and the security recommendations of International SOS. At this time, neither party has declared a travel advisory or warning for Uganda.
No immediate threats have been identified for the Iganga area (where the WashU team is currently located). We hope that the attacks will remain an isolated incident. We are advising the WashU team to adhere to the recommendations of their partner organization, including to avoid travel to Kampala as well as places in and around Iganga where foreigners congregate.
For further information, take a look at the information I've copy pasted the ISOS Commentary and Analysis and travel advice at the end of this email.
Students planning to travel to Uganda or those interested in monitoring the situation, should register with the State Department to receive email updates from them: https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/.
Our thoughts and prayers are with our colleagues and partners throughout Uganda.
Sincerely,
Jon Shaffer
Executive Director
GlobeMed
503.789.4677 (cell)
847.467.2143 (office)
www.globemed.org
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Comment and Analysis
While no group has claimed responsibility for the attacks thus far, they occurred at two locations which were likely to be crowded as patrons had gathered to watch on television the 2010 FIFA World Cup football (soccer) final; this would suggest that they were aimed at causing a high number of casualties. The nature of the targets – an Ethiopian restaurant and, in both cases, football fans – would appear to lend credence to the police official's hypothesis; Ethiopia is considered as an enemy by al-Shabab due to its support to the Somali government and the group, beside recently calling on militants to attack Ugandan interests, also threatened in the past to attack World Cup-related events. While al-Shabab is not expected to have the resources or organizational capability to carry out a sustained terror campaign outside its traditional strongholds in Somalia, one-off attacks by local Islamist cells or affiliated transnational terrorist groups cannot be ruled out. Heightened security measures can be expected across the city, as well as at Entebbe International Airport (EBB) and in the city centre, over the next few days as the authorities conduct investigations. The increased police presence coupled with the road closures is likely to disrupt travel in the vicinity of the explosion sites.
Al-Shabab on 5 July threatened attacks on Uganda's interests and embassies, alleging atrocities committed by its peacekeeping forces deployed in Somalia. The Islamist insurgent group issued a similar threat in October 2009, warning of attacks in Kampala as well as in Bujumbura (Burundi), in retaliation for rocket attacks by soldiers of the two countries participating in the African Union (AU) Mission in Somalia (AMISOM); Burundi and Uganda each have around 2,500 peacekeepers in AMISOM. The explosions in Kampala also follow an increase in security in the west of the country due to reports of a possible attack by the rebel Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a rebel group largely considered to be responsible for a series of bomb and grenade attacks in Kampala and other urban areas around 1997. However, the group's capacity to carry out attacks that go beyond small incursions into the country is believed to be limited.
Travel Advice
* Account for staff.
* Avoid the area of the explosions until the situation becomes clearer.
* Expect roadblocks and delays in the vicinity of the explosion sites.
* Co-operate with all security directives given by the authorities.
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