Explosions rock Ugandan capital Kampala

Two explosions rocked the Ugandan capital Kampala Tuesday morning, resulting in several injuries and damages to buildings.

Dr Rosemary Byanyima, the deputy director of the National Referral Hospital at Mulago, said that the hospital has received at least 27 injured people.

“Most of the patients have been stabilised and are responding well apart from seven of the victims who are in critical condition,” she said.

Authorities have not confirmed any deaths.

They called for vigilance and warned that there could be more bombs in the city.

Police are scheduled to address the media at 1.45pm EAT.

Reports say two explosions went off simultaneously at about 10am.

The first went off at Parliament Avenue, hitting the Jubilee Insurance Building that also houses the Inspector General of Government offices, just a few metres from Parliament while the second explosion was reported near Kooki Towers, opposite Central Police Station.

Security agents cordoned off the area as surrounding buildings, including Parliament, were evacuated.

Speaker of Parliament Jacob Oulanyah was among those who were evacuated from Parliament buildings.

Anita Among, the deputy speaker of Parliament, suspended sittings and asked legislators to remain at home.

“I ask the country to rally behind our security agencies as they deal with this situation and may we, more than ever, stand together as a country and defeat the cowards planning evil against our people. God bless you, God bless our beautiful Country,” she said in a tweet.

Following the blasts, the bomb squad combed the area and surrounding buildings for any other explosives.

Earlier explosions

This is the third time in two months that explosions have gone off in Uganda.

In October, a bomb killed at least one person in a restaurant on the outskirts of Kampala.

Another went off days later in a public bus killing one person.

- Additional reporting by Franklin Draku