Police cautions Ugandans against rushing to explosion scenes

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Police has cautioned Ugandans against rushing to suspected bomb explosion scenes.

As some Ugandans mourn their relatives who perished in the Tuesday’s twin suicide bombings in Kampala, police has come out to tell Ugandans to be careful.

Two bombs went off near the Kampala Central Police Station (CPS) and at office of Inspector General of Police (IGG) on Tuesday leaving six people dead.

Although people first scampered to different directions because of explosion shock, they later returned and crowded around the two blast scenes until other security agencies cordoned off the area at CPS and Parliamentary Avenue.

Commissioner of Police- CP Fred Enanga, the police spokesperson, told Uganda Radio Network (URN) today that the public needs to be very careful with these incidents of terrorism because the attackers could also target the crowds that rush to gather at scenes.

Enanga said people should always expect a second explosion whenever a bomb incident goes off. Security says sometimes terrorists detonate one blast when they have another one waiting for responders.

In case of suicide bombing, security say another bomber could disguise as one of the rescuers and in the process more people could be killed. Enanga advises the public to always take cover whenever something explosive in nature goes off.

“The only way somebody can survive once a bomb goes off, is by taking cover. Once you are down, the other spillover effects will not injure you. They usually fly at an angle. You should look for a safe place once the fragments have reduced but do not rush to the scene. Inform police or other security agencies. Once a bomb has gone off, there is a chance of a secondary device,” said Enanga.

Uganda has had three bomb blast incidents in the last four weeks. At least nine people have lost live in the four Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) explosions. One went off at a pork joint in Komamboga in Kawempe division on October 23rd, another exploded inside a Swift Bus at Lungala in Mpigi on October 25th, and the two that exploded on November 16.

Some of the nine people who have died in the four IED explosions include; Emilly Nyinaneza who died at Komamboga, Isaac Matovu the alleged suicide bomber who died inside the Swift Bus, Constable Amos Kungu and Ismail Basibe who died in the CPS explosion, Christopher Sande, who died on the spot at Parliamentary Avenue, George Katana who died hours later after being wounded in the blast at IGG office.

Other tips after a bomb blast include leaving the building where the explosion has happened, staying away from windows and avoid using elevators or do not light matches.

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URN