{UAH} Survivors of 2010 Uganda bombing gather in Selinsgrove
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Survivors of 2010 Uganda bombing gather in Selinsgrove
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Survivors from the 2010 Uganda bombings all gather together for the first time: Pamela Kramer, of Selinsgrove, Thomas Kramer, 19 of Selinsgrove, Lori Ssebulime, of Selinsgrove, Kris Sledge, 23 Selinsgrove, Emily Kerstetter, 21 of Ellicott City, MD, and Joanne Kerstetter, of Selinsgrove.
Posted: Saturday, July 11, 2015 8:30 pm
SELINSGROVE — It was a gorgeous day to celebrate life, though a dark event was the common thread Saturday evening for the six people gathered at Pamela Kramer's Selinsgrove home: July 11 marked five years since they were injured in a terrorist bombing in Uganda.
Some of them had seen each other in various settings during the last five years, but this was the first time all of them were together. With Kramer were her son, Thomas; Joanne Kerstetter and her granddaughter, Emily; Kris Sledge; and Lori Ssebulime.
Surrounded by friends and family and relaxing by the pool Saturday evening, they would cook out, laugh and talk and be thankful they are alive. At the time, "I didn't know if we were going to be OK," Thomas Kramer said. What got them through it all, Ssebulime said, was prayer.
These Selinsgrove residents — Emily Kerstetter lives in Ellicott City, Md. — are members of Christ Community United Methodist Church and were part of a mission team working in the slums of Kampala, the capital city of Uganda. They were getting ready to come back to the states, Pamela Kramer said, and took a break — "last-minute relaxing," she called it. They went to an Ethiopian restaurant to watch the World Cup soccer final late on July 11, 2010.
About five to 10 feet away from them sat the man who was the suicide bomber. Officials believed he was from an al-Qaida-linked group. He didn't act nervous or suspicious, they said, but he'd walk in front of the projector TV now and then, annoying the customers.
It was the first time the World Cup was played in Africa, and "there was a sea of people" at the restaurant, Ssebulime said. It was late. Sledge and Thomas Kramer were nodding off at their table. Joanne Kerstetter noticed a falling star. It was near the end of the game.
Then "there was a bright flash, and then it went gray," Ssebulime said.
"One second, everything was fine," Thomas Kramer said, "then all hell broke loose."
They were right in the dead zone, an official later said. A woman seated next to Kerstetter was killed. All six suffered injuries, some more serious than others. Eighteen people died in the attack, including their friends, Pastor Peter Mutabazi, Rebecca Nakitende and Francis Omuse Okecho.
very high education. We can call Obote all bad names we have, but the bottom line remains that he got more scholarships for Buganda than all previous Uganda leaders combined. That includes Sir Edward Mutesa, President Lule, President Binayisa, up to and into Ssabasajja Mutebi. Who all happen to be Baganda leaders." MulindwaDisclaimer:Everyone posting to this Forum bears the sole responsibility for any legal consequences of his or her postings, and hence statements and facts must be presented responsibly. Your continued membership signifies that you agree to this disclaimer and pledge to abide by our Rules and Guidelines.To unsubscribe from this group, send email to: ugandans-at-heart+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com or Abbey Semuwemba at: abbeysemuwemba@gmail.com.
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