7/11 memories live on 7 years after Kyadondo attack
Kyadondo RFC Vice chairman Phillip Kiboijjana (middle) and club officials lay a wreath in remembrance of the deceased yesterday at Kyadondo. Photo by DEUS BUGEMBE
KAMPALA. Seven years ago, 86 people were sent to meet their creator in a cruel manner as suicide bombings were carried out at Kyadondo Rugby Club with a crowd watching the 2010 FIFA World Cup Final match.
A day before the attacks, the Rugby Cranes had been taking on Kenya in the Elgon Cup in Nairobi and lost 21-5. The Matthias Ochwo led side got a bus back home to Kyadondo.
Cranes assistant captain and Hima Cement skipper Michael Wokorach was in his first days as a Crane and recalls the sequence of events that night as he stayed behind to relax after a long trip from Nairobi.
“The bus dropped us off Kyadondo as usual and some players headed straight home while others including me joined the crowd to watch the World Cup final,” recalls the Liverpool FC fan.
Cranes vice captain and terror attack survivor Michael Wokorach dedicates his 'man of the match award' on the fifth anniversary of the July 2010 bomb. File Photo
Wokorach recalls having the company of Chris Lubanga and Cranes coach Robert Seguya as other players were in the midst of revellers but he`s thankful to God that none was hurt but also sorry to the families that lost beloved ones.
“There were so many players around that night. It could have been anyone else, I lost friends and people I knew and that’s why we must celebrate their lives lost on this day,” he told Daily Monitor.
Kyadondo Rugby Club have held this day in high regard and have always fixed time for service in memory of the fallen fans with wreaths laid on the remembrance spot at Kyadondo.
“It hit us hard and it’s the kind of thing you ensure never happens again, Kyadondo vice chairman Phillip Kiboijjana. told this paper. “Every year we hold a service with families and friends of the deceased,” he added.
