Student survives scare in Uganda

Brandy Cluka, who graduated from Flathead High School in 2000, was in a bar in Kampala, Uganda, on Sunday to watch the World Cup soccer final when suicide bombers struck similar parties, killing 76 people in different establishments in the same city.

Cluka, a medical student at the University of Washington, was in Uganda as part of an eight-week  International Health Opportunity Program. She had spent the first week in Mulago Hospital in Kampala, then moved out to Kiboga, a village two hours from the capital city.

On the day of the World Cup match between Spain and the Netherlands, Cluka went back to Kampala to meet a group of friends at a bar called Iguana for an event sponsored by the Dutch.

 She responded to questions from the Inter Lake by e-mail from Uganda, describing the atmosphere when she arrived at the Iguana.

“It was so packed that I couldn’t even get upstairs to meet my friends until half time. I finally made it up towards the big screen and we were packed in like sardines. With 3 minutes remaining in the game, the staff of Iguana began yelling ‘Everybody out, now!’”

Cluka said she and her friends could not figure out what was happening. As the commands to evacuate continued, she and the other celebrants began moving for the stairs and, in spite of the chaos, everyone got out safely.

“Someone behind me mentioned the word bomb and I knew that something was very wrong.  At that point, people at Iguana had received word that there had been two explosions; they were referring to the blasts as grenades.”

Cluka said someone claimed to have heard the blasts from Iguana but she can’t verify that. She said she was instantly fearful, realizing that the huge crowd in the Iguana would have been a tempting target as well.

Her fears were not unfounded.

On Tuesday, authorities found an unexploded suicide vest with ball bearings in a disco hall in Kampala. The discovery proved militants planned a third bombing during the World Cup finals in addition to the one at the Rugby Club and a restaurant called Ethiopian Village.

“It was quite hectic outside the bar and I was afraid that I would not be able to get a taxi back to the hotel,” Cluka wrote. “Thankfully, an acquaintance offered us a ride. There were still many people in the streets, but one would expect more crowds on the night of the World Cup final.  We were passed by several different trucks full of police officers.”

As their car turned toward her hotel, Cluka could see a police truck blocking traffic from a distant intersection. It was the route that leads to the Ethiopian Village. She said that sirens kept her up all night but she was never in acute danger.

Cluka said she realized the extent of the destruction the next morning. She described the streets as quiet but people were up and on their way to work as usual.

“In general, Kampala is a very safe and friendly city. Uganda is grieving this week and I am saddened that this tragedy unfolded, especially on a night that was supposed to bring the world together in celebration. The photos in the newspaper were quite graphic and I am saddened at how many lives were lost.”

She headed back to Kiboga the next morning, where she said she is very safe. On the way out of town, Cluka noticed a greater police presence on the streets.

“I am scheduled to be in Kampala this weekend and will be spending another week at Mulago Hospital in August.”

 Cluka is the daughter of Colleen and Don Cluka of Kalispell. She begins her second year of medical school this fall at the University of Washington.

Reporter Candace Chase may be reached at 758-4436 or by e-mail at cchase@dailyinterlake.com.