Uganda detains 15 people over alleged roles in ISIS-linked bombings

Africa, News December 27, 2021 , by IRIA No Comments

Ugandan security forces have charged 15 people over their alleged roles in terrorism, aiding terrorism, and recent bombings in Kampala, Uganda’s capital city, and elsewhere during October and November 2021.

Ugandan authorities stated in a statement that a “domestic terror group” with links to the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a rebel group that has links with the terrorist group Islamic State, was responsible for the attacks.

The charge sheet which was seen by Reuters stated that 15 people, among other accusations, “intentionally and unlawfully, manufactured, delivered, placed and detonated an improvised explosive device … with intent to cause death or serious bodily injuries.”

The suspects have been detained until January 13, 2022, when they are expected to again appear in court.

According to Kampala’s Metropolitan Police deputy spokesman Luke Owoyesigyire, “Fifteen people appeared before [the] court yesterday on charges of terrorism, aiding, abetting terrorism and belonging to a terrorist group.”

Earlier this year on November 16, a suicide bomber attacked a police station at the city center and blew himself up at the entrance gate. Soon after the first attack, two more suicide bombers detonated explosive devices at the road that leads to the country’s parliament. The November bombings killed at least four people and injured dozens of civilians.

In October 2021, two bomb attacks on a bus and at a restaurant also resulted in two deaths and dozens injured. Islamic State, a terrorist group linked with the ADF, claimed responsibility for the October and November attacks.

Following the last month’s attacks, the Ugandan government requested the authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to hunt and destroy the terrorists on its soil. With the DRC government’s approval, Uganda deployed armed forces and launched air and artillery attacks against the ADF militants.

The ADF is originally a Ugandan organization that has been operating in the areas of the dense forest across the border, in the DRC. The ADF has also been involved in the killing of many civilians in 2014.