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Over 50 killed in Uganda World Cup final bombings

Last updated on: July 12, 2010 19:41 IST

At least 74 people were killed by co-ordinated explosions while they were watching the Spain-Holland World Cup final in the Ugandan capital Kampala late Sunday night, emerging reports said.

Many foreigners, including Americans, are said to be among the casualties.

The bomb ripped through two separate bars packed with football fans watching the World Cup final between Spain and the Netherlands, indicating a possible link to Somalia's al-Shabab militants.

Ugandan peacekeepers operate in Mogadishu, Somalia, and al-Shabab - linked to al-Qaeda - has threatened to hit Kampala in the past.

About 5,000 African Union troops from Uganda and Burundi are based in Mogadishu to protect the fragile interim government, a BBC report said.