One killed, 8 injured in Mengo 'bomb' explosion
- Written by Observer Media Ltd
A 12-year-old boy, Sam Lukemba has been killed in a suspected bomb blast after he and eight of his friends mistook a 'grenade' for a ball and started playing it as a football.
There are conflicting reports as to how the explosive got onto the football pitch. Some 'eye witnesses' claim the 'grenade' was thrown at the kids by a man passing by. That after taking off, the eye witnesses claim, the boys returned, picked up the grenade and started playing it as football.
Police spokesperson, Fred Enanga told The Observer on phone that the nine boys kicked what they assumed was a ball (grenade) from about 6.30 to 7pm today evening at a vacant pitch next to Kyaggwe road primary school opposite Lubiri palace. The blast happened at about 7.20pm according to eye witnesses.
Enanga says the eight are “critically injured" and have been rushed to Mulago and Mengo hospitals for treatment. Police has cordoned off the scene of blast with only officers of the Police Bomb Squad allowed to get close.
One eyewitness, a resident of the area told The Observer that her friend's child lost a leg in the blast. Most of the injured are said to have either lost their legs or arms or both.
Interestingly, although the police released a statement about the 'grenade explosion', army spokesperson Paddy Ankunda took to twitter saying there was "No bomb blast in Kampala!". He said "Until experts confirm otherwise, it's not proper to talk of a bomb blast but an explosion"
Unconfirmed reports say two more boys have also died from injuries sustained from the blast.
More details to follow...