Bomb squad deployed after scrap explosion injures four in Mbale

MBALE - A bomb squad team from the Uganda Police Force has been dispatched to Mbale following a suspected explosive blast that left four people injured.

The incident occurred on March 17, 2026, at St Andrews cell in Industrial Division when a group of workers was offloading scrap metal from a vehicle.

According to Elgon regional police spokesperson Rogers Taitika, the explosion was triggered during routine handling of the scrap.

“One of the workers threw down a sack containing metallic items, triggering a loud explosion,” Taitika said.

The injured have been identified as scrap dealer Dan Madanda, mechanic Arafat Namulembwa, businesswoman Eva Nafuna, and businessman Maganda Hassan.

All four victims were rushed to Mbale Regional Referral Hospital, where they remain hospitalised but are reported to be out of danger.

Police said fragments suspected to be from an explosive device were recovered at the scene, including a broken cartridge and a rusty submachine gun (SMG) magazine. A nearby vehicle was also damaged in the blast.

Addressing journalists on Monday (March 23) at police headquarters in Naguru, Kampala, deputy police spokesperson Diana Nandawula confirmed that a specialised bomb squad unit had been deployed to examine the scene and establish the exact nature of the explosion.

“The bomb squad has been tasked to analyse the scene and determine the composition of the device involved,” Nandawula said.

Police have since cautioned scrap dealers and members of the public to remain vigilant when handling unknown metallic objects, warning that unexploded ordnance could still pose a threat.