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Siegfried Modola/IRIN

A war-ravaged street in Mogadishu.

This strength has never been more obvious. This resilience has never been more inspiring.

I am proud to stand with the people of Uganda - and with her partners across this continent and around the world. But I am deeply sorry that we are now bound, not only by friendship and partnership, but also by a shared loss, a shared threat, and a shared grief.

Two weeks ago today, Uganda awakened to a new danger and began a new chapter in a history that, too often, has been scarred by violence. As the World Cup's final match was being played, men, women, and children across Kampala were enjoying life's greatest blessings - the joys of friendship and fellowship. That evening, the eyes of the world were fixed upon this continent - bearing witness to historic progress, to hard-won unity and, then suddenly, to heartbreaking tragedy.

Fourteen days after bombs ripped through the Kyandondo Rugby Club and the Ethiopian Village restaurant, we now know the statistics that have been assigned to this tragedy - 74 killed, 85 wounded. But we will never be able to measure the grief, the anger, and - above all - the compassion that followed these attacks. Al-Shabaab - a terrorist group operating in Somalia with ties to al-Qaeda - has claimed responsibility for murdering and injuring these innocent victims. And its leaders have infamously described these bombings as warranted acts of vengeance. But make no mistake: these attacks were nothing more than reprehensible acts of cowardice, inspired by a radical and corrupt ideology that systematically denies human rights, devalues women and girls, and perverts the peaceful traditions and teachings of a great religion.

America is among many nations now in mourning - grieving the loss of all of those defenseless victims, including one of our own citizens, and praying for the others who were injured. My nation is also among many working to bring the perpetrators of these vicious acts to justice. To assist Uganda in its investigation, we've provided a team of FBI forensic experts and offered both technical assistance and intelligence resources.

The United States also recognizes that ending the threat of al-Shabaab to the world will take more than just law enforcement. That is why we are working closely with the AU to support the African Union's Mission in Somalia. The United States applauds the heroic contributions that are being made on a daily basis by Ugandan and Burundian troops, and we pledge to maintain our support for the AU and the AU Mission in Somalia.

As our countries work together, with the support of the international community, my hope is that we will also always remember what was irreplaceably lost here in Kampala. Individuals with families. Individuals with futures. And individuals afflicted with the most tragic of fates - dying while doing good.

To his students, Nate Henn was known as "Oteka" - The Strong One. He had traveled from the United States to help Uganda's most vulnerable children, to provide them with an education, and to reveal to them a simple truth: that great futures await them. Tragically, Nate's own future has been lost to the ages.

Stephen Tinka, a Ugandan journalist and radio presenter, and one of the many Ugandans who were killed, was known for his infectious personality and his distinctive voice - a voice now silenced.

Ramaraja Krishna, a Sri Lankan father of two daughters, came to Uganda two years ago to help advance this nation's economy. Today, his body rests, once again, at home.

Marie Smith of Ireland was a missionary who spent 30 years helping Africans less fortunate than herself. But her work came to an abrupt end - not because of who she was or what she believed, but because of the seat she'd chosen on that catastrophic Sunday evening.

That is profoundly wrong. And any attempt to justify these murders of innocents is unimaginably shameful. As we struggle to make sense from the unfathomable, and as we seek justice from the ashes, we can take comfort - and find faith - in the Ugandan proverb that reminds us, "When the moon is not full, the stars shine more brightly." Yes, it is darker out today than it was just weeks ago. But we must believe - and we must make certain - that the stars of goodwill and grace and, above all, of justice will shine brighter now than before.

In this time of new threats and unprecedented challenges, the importance of the African Union's mission and work is brought into stark focus. Over the last eight years, you have united a diversity of nations around common goals. You've paved new paths for communication and cooperation, and for prosperity, peace, and healing. Together, you've established agreements to strengthen democratic institutions, to prevent and combat corruption, and to ensure the integrity of your elections and the strength of your justice systems. And you've pooled your resources and knowledge to increase Africa's participation in the global marketplace and to provide Africa's people with goods, services, and opportunities, as well as with leadership that honors their will and their best interests.

At the beginning of this year - your membership declared 2010 to be the "Year of Peace and Security." Together, you ignited a "flame of peace" that was placed in the care of President Mutharika. From Malawi, this flame began a year-long journey to all 53 AU member nations.

This journey continues. This flame still burns. And this Year of Peace and Security must live on. For too much is at stake. Too much has been sacrificed. And too much is yet to be realized.

Like President Obama, I believe that the 21st century will be shaped by what happens here in Africa. Your security and prosperity, the health of your people and the strength of your civil society, will have a direct and profound impact on the world's communities and on the advancement of human rights and human progress everywhere.

During his early days in office, President Obama travelled to Africa. In Cairo and in Accra, he described what he saw as "an extraordinary moment of promise" for this continent - a new era for international cooperation; a new beginning.

President Obama also made clear that "Africa's future is up to Africans." And, today, I want to reaffirm America's commitment to ensuring that this future is not hijacked or compromised; and that the progress you're working to achieve is not derailed or delayed.

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