UPDATE - Ugandan authorities probe Daesh/ISIS claim for bomb blast

REVISES HEADLINE, ADDS MORE DETAILS

By Godfrey Olukya

KAMPALA, Uganda (AA) - Uganda said Monday that it cannot take for granted a claim of responsibility by the Daesh/ISIS terrorist organization for a fatal weekend bomb attack at a restaurant on the outskirts of the country’s capital Kampala.

During a press conference, the director of the Ugandan police in charge of counter-terrorism, Abbas Byakagaba, said they cannot accept the declaration until a thorough investigation is carried out and it is proven beyond reasonable doubt that they are responsible.

“We do not work with ISIS and we cannot confirm their claim. But we are investigating all clues, including claims made by ISIS,” Byakagaba said.

Byakagaba said however that they cannot leave Daesh/ISIS out of their investigation since there is a possibility that they are among the perpetrators. He said they are aware that the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebel group currently based in the Democratic Republic of Congo works closely with Daesh/ISIS, so they are among those they are investigating.

Authorities in Uganda said Sunday that a fatal blast overnight at a roadside eatery on the outskirts of the capital was an act of domestic terrorism.

The incident came a few days after the UK warned that an act of terror would take place in Uganda soon.

‘’Following the explosion in [the] Komamboga [suburb] in Kampala district, joint security task teams of experts from counterterrorism, intelligence and investigations have confirmed that the incident was an intentional act of domestic terror,” said a press statement issued by the police Sunday evening.

It said a joint team of bomb experts has established that the explosion was caused by a crude device assembled using nails and metallic fragments.

It said that facts gathered clearly indicate that three men disguised as customers arrived at the restaurant around 8.30 p.m. One of them was carrying a polythene bag containing unknown items that he placed under a table. The suspects reportedly appeared friendly as they interacted with other customers. They later disappeared, leaving behind their package, from which an explosion took place.

“I have been briefed on the bomb incident in Kwata zone, Komamboga. The Information I have is that 3 people came and left a package in kaveera [plastic bag] which later on exploded, killing 1 person and injuring 5 others,” President Yoweri Museveni said on Twitter.

“The Police Specialists are on the ground investigating the whole incident. They will give us more information later. They will also give guidelines on vigilance by the Public dealing with these possible terrorists.

“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 added.