EDITOR
At least two people have died in a suspected bomb blast in Munyonyo, a Kampala suburb, sending shockwaves through Kampala just as the nation marks the annual Uganda Martyrs Day.
The explosion occurred Tuesday morning near Munyonyo Martyrs’ Shrine, where thousands of pilgrims have gathered for the religious commemoration.
According to preliminary reports, the remains of two people were found at the scene alongside the wreckage of a destroyed motorcycle.
A suicide bomber and a rider are thought to have succumbed to wounds sustained in the explosion.
Security forces, including the military and the police bomb squad, swiftly rushed to the scene, which has since been cordoned off as investigations begin. Forensic teams are combing through the debris to establish the nature of the blast, possible motives, and whether it was a targeted or accidental detonation.
No official statement has yet been issued by the Uganda Police Force or the Ministry of Internal Affairs, but the discovery of body parts suggests at least one fatality.
The incident comes amid heightened security operations around Kampala, as Uganda hosts the annual Martyrs Day celebrations.
The day commemorates the execution of 45 Christian converts between 1885 and 1887 and is one of the country’s most significant religious events, drawing large crowds from Uganda and neighboring countries. Security agencies have been on high alert in recent weeks following warnings of potential threats from extremist groups seeking to disrupt public gatherings.
