Al Shabaab has since 2006 has been fighting to topple the Horn of Africa country's Western-basked government and establish its own rule based on a strict interpretation of Islamic law.
"There was an attack this morning at our base... by elements of al Shabaab but we are waiting for official communication from ATMIS headquarters," said Uganda People's Defence Force deputy spokesman Deo Akiiki. There was no immediate official confirmation of the casualties. Al Shabaab tends to give casualty figures in attacks that differ from those issued by the authorities.
"That prompted a fierce battle for hours. All groups including al Shabaab suffered heavy casualties," he said."Now we see al Shabaab in the town. We cannot know how many died. We are not hearing any shots from ATMIS and government now," local resident Rukia Farah said earlier on Friday.