A tragic explosion in Njeru Municipality, Buikwe District, has claimed the lives of two welders and injured another. The incident occurred around 1 p.m. at Triangle Zone when an unidentified metal structure exploded during modification.
The deceased have been identified as Ayub Mpanda and Emmanuel Tumwebaze, both owners of the metal object. The injured individual, David Mugogo, is receiving treatment at Njeru Medical Centre. Eyewitnesses reported a loud blast during the welding process. Stephen Kuboi, Chairman of Nile Market, stated, “I was at work going about my business when I heard a huge blast. When I rushed to the scene, we found two people dead and one injured.”
Security agencies, including the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), police, and counter-terrorism units, promptly secured the area. A bomb squad from Kampala arrived later to conduct forensic investigations. Hellen Butoto, Police spokesperson for Ssezibwa Region, confirmed the ongoing investigation to determine the nature and cause of the explosion.
The bodies of the deceased have been transported to Jinja Hospital Mortuary for post-mortem examinations. Authorities are urging scrap dealers and welders to exercise caution when handling unidentified or suspicious materials to prevent such tragedies in the future.
This incident has deeply affected the local community, underscoring the dangers associated with handling hazardous materials without proper identification and safety measures.
