Two explosions hit Kampala, capital of Uganda

The capital of Uganda, Kampala has suffered two explosions on Tuesday, with a number of people injured in what the police termed an attack on the city.

According to the police, the explosions occurred in the central business district of Kampala near the central police station and the entrance to parliament,

“What we can say (is) this was an attack but who is responsible is a matter that is under investigation,” Uganda’s Assistant Inspector General of police Edward Ochom told AFP.

Health ministry spokesman Ainebyoona Emmanuel said on Twitter that Kampala’s Mulago Hospital was treating 24 people, four in critical condition.

“Following the unfortunate and cowardly act of terrorism, our health workers are working around the clock to save lives of those injured,” he said.

The explosion near the police station shattered windows while the one near the entrance to parliament saw cars parked nearby burst into flames, Ochom said.

“We have dispatched a team” to the area, Uganda Red Cross spokeswoman Irene Nakasiita told AFP.

The explosions on Tuesday is the latest in a string of blasts targeting the country.
There had been two blasts last month- a bus explosion near Kampala which wounded many and a bombing at a roadside eatery in the capital that killed one woman.

Read also: Uganda bomb blast is a terrorist act; President Museveni reveals

The Ugandan police had connected lat month’s attacks to the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF). A number of ADF’s operatives were arrested and warned that extremists were believed to be plotting a new attack on “major installations”.

The ADF, historically a Ugandan rebel group, has been accused of killing thousands of civilians in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. In March the United States officially linked the ADF to IS.

Parliament cancelled its Tuesday session following the attacks, asking members to avoid the area “as security forces are working hard to restore order”.

The premises were put under tight security, with heavily armed soldiers securing the area as forensics officers in white overalls inspected the blast site for clues.

(The Punch)