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Following the explosion that occurred at Kwata Zone, Komamboga Ward, Kawempe Division, in the Kampala District, our joint task teams of experts from Counter Terrorism, Intelligence and Investigations have confirmed the incident as an intentional act of domestic terror.
The facts gathered clearly indicate that 3 men, disguised as customers arrived at the eating point, which belongs to Lule Samuel, at around 8.30pm. One of them was carrying a polyethene bag, containing unknown items that he placed under the table. The suspects who appeared friendly, interacted with other customers and placed more rounds of bites and drinks for them. They disappeared afterwards abandoning their package at the scene. Moments after, the explosion occurred, covering a radius of 5 square meters. This indicates that the suspects ultimately detonated the improvised explosive device, after leaving the scene.
A total of 4 victims who were within the 5-meter radius were affected. Our sincere condolences, go to the family of the deceased, who has been identified as Nyinaneza Emily, a 20-year-old waitress. She succumbed to the deep injuries on her head, back and left leg. The number of injured persons, has been lowered from 7 to 3, after all victims were thoroughly traced. The three include, Kiconco Annet, Nakitto Rose and Ssenyonga Peter. Both Peter and Annet are still in critical condition. Our teams have checked on them at Mulago Hospital and we wish them quick recovery. We want to thank the first responders who evacuated the victims to the nearest medical centers.
The joint team of bomb experts, has established that the explosion was out of a crude device, assembled using local materials of nails and other metallic fragments. All indications suggest an act of domestic terror. We do greatly thank all persons who provided valuable tips that have given us good leads, towards the identity of the 3 culprits. The task team that comprises of experts from the Bomb Squads, Joint Intelligence, Joint Anti-Terrorism units, Kampala Metropolitan, CID and Operations, are combing a radius of 2kms from the crime scene.
We continue to appeal to all members of the community to remain extra vigilant and always pay much attention, to all forms of movements and suspicious behaviors within their surroundings. In this very incident, the place was crowded, with low levels of alertness, lacked security measures and was operating in total disregard of the curfew restrictions. Any business or activity that puts profits before the safety and security of its customers, is prone to such kind of attacks. The targeted area is located 8 Kms, in the outskirts of the city and has over 10 eating points.
We also want to caution the media, especially social media, to stop playing the blame game by pointing fingers. The respective advisories and terror alerts by the UK and France, were not discriminate in nature and required specific details which were not availed.
The public should know that matters of security and safety, are not a monopoly for security agencies, but a responsibility of each and everyone. As you are all aware, since 2010, we have foiled so many acts of terror and also dismantled several domestic terror cells. Therefore, we should jointly look for solutions aimed at countering such acts of domestic terror.
We continue to maintain our levels of security preparedness across the country and focusing more on places that attract crowds. As we step up security in these places, we call upon the public to remain vigilant. Just recently, we cracked down several rebel collaborators, who were undermining the prevailing peace and security in the country. We shall therefore, work tirelessly and bring all the culprits involved in the bomb attack, to book.
CP FRED ENANGA
POLICE SPOKESPERSON
24TH OCTOBER 2021