KAMPALA DOUBLE EXPLOSSIONS: 23 Police Officers critically injured, Parliament closed
By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
At least two persons have been confirmed dead in the two suspected bomb blasts that exploded in Kampala City centre on Tuesday.
The two explosions one at Kooki Towers near Kampala Central Polivmce Station that exploded at around 10am in the morning and another at IPS building along Parliamentary Avenue near the parliament of Uganda that exploded few minutes after the Kooki explosion.
Two persons yet to identify have been confirmed dead and several others critically injured.
According to eye witnesses, there was a big blast at Kooki Towers prompting people and Boda Boda riders who were parking at the place to run away for their dear lives.
23 Police Officers from CPS who and other people who were sitting under the tree between CPS and Kooki Towers have been critically injured and were rushed to Mulago hospital for first aid.
Irene Nakasiita, the Public Relations Officer at Uganda Red Cross has told reports that when their team reached the scenes, it was established that some victims were amputated both arms and legs while others sustained head and stomach injuries.
“Our deployed team was able to identify some body parts like legs, arms but could not tell whose body parts they are. We can report that some people were amputated in the explosions,” Nakasiita said.
She added that Red Cross has deployed its staff and ambulances at City Clinic and Jubilee insurance to help in giving emergency rescues in the city.
Our Reporter at Mulago hospital where many victims have been admitted said that ambulances are still bringing in several patients and that healthworkers are working under pressure due to increased number of patients.
Police bomb squad lead by their commander AIGP Abbas Byakagaba have visited the scene of the explosions to ascertain the situation.
All buildings near the scenes of explosions such as Mapera House, the seat of Catholic church Bank – Centenary Bank, CPS, Mabirizi complex, Jubilee insurance, Parliament, City Square, are under strict surveillance while all roads leading to the city centre have been heavily manned.
Meanwhile, Parliament of Uganda has been temporarily closed down due to the explosions in Kampala.
According to a Twitter post on parliamentary Twitter account, the deputy speaker of parliament Rt Hon Annet Amongi has adjourned today’s sitting to unspecified dates as investigations into the explosions continues.
All members of parliament and the parliamentary staff have been advised not to access parliament until further communications.
The Kampala City LCIII Chairperson Salim Uhuru, who was at his funded restaurant, Uhuru restaurant on William Street Kampala near where the explosion at Kooki Towers took place has advised people to be vigilant to one another and stay at their homes if they have no serious businesses in town.
Uhuru further confirmed that one of his friends, a police officer only identified as Katongole died in the explosions.
By the time of compiling this report, the exact number of fatalities and injured persons has not been released. Police is working tooth and nail to give a clear report on the double explosions.
