Bomb blast kills 2 children in Uganda

By Godfrey Olukya

KAMPALA, Uganda (AA) - Two children, including a handicapped one, died in a bomb explosion in a remote village of Uganda's central Nakaseke district.

According to police, the bomb blast took place last night in the Ssegyalye village, about 57 kilometers (35.4 miles) from the capital Kampala.

Asan Kasingye, the assistant inspector general of police, said in a statement: “A jackfruit-like explosive given to children in Ssegalye village, Semuto sub-county, Nakaseke district, instantly kills Kiwuuwa Pathias, a physically handicapped child, and Kiyingi Michael, 14, who were playing together with another child named Odong.”

Police have not yet established who gave the explosive to the children but said investigations into the incident have been underway.

Over the past week, two bomb blasts have occurred, one in a restaurant in the outskirts of Kampala, and another in a moving bus in the central Mpigi district, killing two people and injuring several.

The Daesh/ISIS terror group claimed it was responsible for the bombings but the Ugandan government said the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels, based in the Democratic Republic of Congo, are responsible. But the security units in Uganda said the ADF has connections with Daesh/ISIS.

Kasingye also warned Ugandans to be cautious about suspicious objects. He said: “Please report suspicious articles to police.’’

In 2010, over 70 people were killed in a bomb blast while watching the world cup finals at a club in Kampala. ​​​​​​​