KAMPALA, UGANDA: Five family members are reported to have sustained injuries following a suspected explosive attack in Kampala on Christmas Day.
According to a statement released by Kampala Metropolitan Police on Sunday, December 26, the explosive ordnance was packed among the gifts that the family received on Christmas.
“It is alleged that on the 24/12/2021 at about 3 pm at Industrial Zone Kagugube Central Division in Kampala City, Jennifer Birungi’s daughter identified as Katusiime was given second-hand clothes by a friend only identified as Anita, who is in Dubai,” Luke Owoyesigire, the Kampala Metropolitan Spokesperson said in a statement.
According to the statement, “The complainant, Birungi, told police that as they sorted the clothes in their home yard, they saw a metallic bottle with a blue colour and suspected it to be an explosive. One Poni Elizabeth (a granddaughter), threw it in the dust bin but Vanessa (also granddaughter) secretly removed it from the bin and brought it back to the house.”
Reports gathered further indicate that at about 9 pm on Christmas Day, Vanessa started playing with the explosive which later exploded, injuring five family members.
Police identified the victims as Jennifer Birungi, 45, a KCCA cleaner, Harriet Kabasinguzi, 25, Poni Elizabeth, 1, Nakandi Mitchell, 2, and a daughter to Kabasinguzi, Vanessa Birungi, 10, a granddaughter to Birungi – all residents of Industrial Zone Kagugube Central Division in Kampala City.
The five victims are currently admitted at the Mulago National Referral Hospital for treatment.
Owoyesigire said that the incident is being investigated with the view of identifying the exact origin of the explosive ordnance.
“Our task team has recovered pieces of the explosive, which have been submitted to experts for analysis,” said Oweyesigire, adding that; ”We also want to appeal to members of the public to report any items that look suspicious to the relevant authorities for safe handling.”
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