Last night, one of the saddest, scariest, most surreal things happened in Kampala. As diehard and faux football fans alike gathered in droves around the city to watch and blow their vuvuzelas during the World Cup finals – the first World Cup ever held in Africa – two of Kampala’s popular spectator locations, Lugogo Rugby Grounds and Ethiopian Village, were bombed by Somali militants. At least 74 were killed, and another 70+ were injured. Mr. Stephen Okiria, CCP’s Finance Manager on the AFFORD Health Marketing Initiative, was among those who lost their lives while committing the heinous crime of enjoying a Netherlands v. Spain football match. Kampala is a mix of emotion and reaction. Silence and outrage, disbelief and anxiety, grief and horror. Deep, deeper, deepest sadness.
Special thanks to US Embassy, doctor and reporter friends that unquestioningly endured sleepless nights to do everything they could in their respective capacities to protect, heal and make known the story of Kampala. You know who you are. We love you for it.
People watch the World Cup final at a restaurant in Kampala late on July 11, moments before blasts tore through the crowds.
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