Kyadondo Rugby Grounds, one of the venues of the July 2010 bomb blasts, was deserted on Wednesday as the country marked the second anniversary of the attacks.
The July 11twin bombings by suspected Al-Shabaab terrorists killed 79 people, mostly football fans who were watching a 2010 World Cup final match on large screens at Kyadondo and Ethiopian Village Restaurant in Kabalagala, a city suburb.
But today Kyadondo Rugby Grounds, which had the greatest number of those killed, was deserted with no signs or form of commemoration, however small. There was not a single sign showing that such an important day was being remembered.
The first anniversary was well marked last year with prayers, speeches and the erection of a monument at Kyadondo.
Uganda Radio Network counted just five people, all victims of the bombings, who showed up thinking there was a ceremony going on and went away disappointed.
Annet Namubiru, who lost her husband in the Kyadondo blasts, said she was disappointed that the government and the country have forgotten so soon the victims of the July 11 bombings. In the company of her orphaned six-year-old daughter Vanessa Tendo, a perturbed Namubiru said at least there should have been some prayers for the dead.
Alex Habomugisha, a survivor of the blasts, also expressed his disappointment saying he had gone to the grounds to commiserate and show solidarity with victims and survivors of the attacks.
Habomugisha, who narrowly survived death, said he frequents the Kyadondo Rugby Grounds because, as he put it, “it is the best entertainment place in Kampala”.
Another survivor, Julius Osman Angura, who returned to the grounds for the first time since July 2010, said Ugandans forget so fast. He wondered why it appeared as if Ugandans have relaxed yet the Al-Shabaab and other terrorist threats are ever present.
Angura reasoned that there is a need for the government to keep the general public always alert through commemorations at which they are reminded of common threats and how to remain vigilant.
Francis Mugoga, the director of Uganda 7/11 Survivors’ Network, said it was a shame that the country forgot the bombings and the victims so soon, after just two years. He said such a day should be for rallying the people against terrorism. Uganda 7/11 Survivors’ Network offers material and psychosocial support to the victims of the blasts.
Mugoga said failing to commemorate the day means terrorism is winning, adding that the best scenario would have been to show the world that terrorism cannot put the country down.
Joan Namuyomba, the manager of Kyadondo Rugby Grounds, said organizing the commemoration proved expensive for the rugby association alone, adding that last year’s event was quite expensive.
Namuyomba, who also survived the attacks, said the Kyadondo Grounds has recovered and has since hosted other big shows.
When contacted, information minister Mary Karooro Okurut denied that the July/11 bombings and the victims have been forgotten. She said a commemoration mass was held at Christ the King Church in the city centre at which the state minister for disaster preparedness Musa Ecweru represented government.
