The Federation of African Journalists (FAJ), the African regional organization of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), expresses its abhorrence of the bomb attacks in Kampala, Uganda, last night, in which more than 60 people were killed, including Vision Voice journalist Stephen Tinka.

FAJ President, Omar Faruk Osman, strongly condemned these barbaric attacks in the Ugandan capital and conveyed his condolences to the family of late journalist Stephen Tinka, the members of the Ugandan Journalists Union, as well as to other victims and their families who have been tragically affected by these attacks.

The first bomb went off in Ethiopian Village in Kabalaga during the half-time of the World Cup final between Spain and Netherlands. The other two went off at the Kyadondo Rugby Club in Nakawa at 11:18pm - one after the other in close succession. Ugandan authorities suspect that the Al Shabaab militants from Somalia may be behind these attacks. 

According to Uganda Journalists Union (UJU), FAJ affiliate, Late Stephen Tinka, who used to present a night programme between the shifts and was presenting a Saturday morning magazine show from 7am-10am, died in the morning of July 12 of wounds sustained during the blasts, after spending the night in a critical condition.

"We extend our solidarity to Ugandan journalists and other media workers and their families and wish them strength to overcome the effects of these outrageous and criminal acts," Omar Faruk added. "Innocent people have fallen victim to these attacks by those who have no respect for human life."

According to a report by the New Vision newspaper, witnesses said the two bombs exploded right in front of the giant screen relaying a live broadcast from South Africa of about the 2010 World Cup final between Netherlands and Spain.

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The FAJ represents over 50,000 journalists in 38 countries in Africa