UPDF Calls for Calm after Explosions in Kampala

Uganda People's Defence Force (UPDF) urged people to remain calm following the blasts that occurred in Kampala today.

"We regret lives that have been lost, and this can only increase our commitment as security forces to tighten and heighten our operations to secure all," defence spokesperson Brig. Flavia Byekwaso said in a statement.
 
"We urge the public to remain calm and be extra security conscious."

Police confirmed Tuesday that bomb explosions that occurred in two places in Kampala city were executed by three suicide bombers.

The attacks occurred in a space of 3 minutes, with the first blasting at 10:03 am at the checkpoint at the Central Police Station (CPS) and another at 10:06am at Parliamentary Avenue.

The attack at CPS was executed by a male adult walking on foot with a backpack, according to police spokesman Fred Enanga, who cited CCTV footage while the two attackers at Parliamentary Avenue (Raja Chambers) were riding on two motorcycles.

Including the suicide bomber, three people died from this explosion, Enanga said. When you add the two at Parliamentary Avenue, those confirmed dead are five.

According to Enanga, the number of people who have been confirmed injured from the explosion and rushed to hospital are 33 so far, with 5 critically injured.

Police says it's still scouring the scenes of crime and more details will be released later.

These attacks come 22 days after the last suicide bomb attack on a Swift Safaris Bus.

Brig. Byekwaso assured Ugandans that the threat will be defeated.

"The explosions that went off earlier this morning should unite us more to fight and defeat terrorism in our country. They shouldn't divert us but bring us together to stand and be counted in the fight," she said.

"As it has been in the past, this new wave shall also be defeated."