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FBI team helping with bomb investigation in Uganda

By the CNN Wire Staff
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
  • FBI team is helping Uganda investigate bombings that killed 74
  • President Obama called the Ugandan president to offer condolences and help
  • U.S. diplomatic security officers also are heading to the African country

Washington (CNN) -- An FBI team is assisting in the investigation of the Uganda bombings, government officials said Monday.

A trio of bombings killed at least 74 people Sunday at two venues in the Ugandan capital where crowds had gathered to watch the World Cup final. A Somali Islamist militant movement has claimed responsibility.

White House press secretary Robert Gibbs told a news conference that President Barack Obama called Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni on Monday morning to express his "sincere condolences for the loss of life." Obama also offered to provide the Uganda government with any support or assistance it needs, Gibbs said.

"I'm told that the FBI will assist in the investigation of the bombings yesterday," he said.

Assistant Secretary of State P.J. Crowley said Monday that a three-person FBI team was in Uganda collecting evidence at the bomb scenes, and two diplomatic security officers were heading to the country.

In the phone conversation between Obama and Museveni, "the leaders reaffirmed their shared commitment to working together to combat terrorist organizations that threaten innocent civilians around the world," Gibbs said, condemning the bombings.

"I think there is no clearer signal about the hateful motives of terrorists than was sent yesterday," Gibbs said.