Gas explosion at Kansanga restaurant injures three
reliminary investigations indicate that accumulated cooking gas inside the restaurant was ignited by an open flame, leaving three workers with severe injuries.
Kampala Metropolitan Police deputy spokesperson Luke Owoyesigyire during a weekly briefing at police headquarters in Naguru on Monday, August 10, 2026. (Credit: Mpalanyi Ssentongo)
______________
Police are investigating a suspected cooking gas explosion at Keren Bar and Restaurant in Makindye Division, Kampala, which left three workers injured.
The incident occurred on Sunday, August 9, 2026, at about 1:00pm, according to Kampala Metropolitan Police.
The injured workers only identified as Briana, Jewet and Livl Berhe, were rushed to nearby health facilities for medical attention.
Kampala Metropolitan Police deputy spokesperson Luke Owoyesigyire told journalists during a weekly briefing at police headquarters in Naguru today (August 10) that preliminary investigations indicate that accumulated cooking gas inside the restaurant was ignited by an open flame, causing the explosion.
He said experts from the Police Bomb Squad and Fire Prevention and Rescue Services examined the scene and established that the incident was caused by opened cooking gas.
“What we determined is that the gas had been opened for a long time, and I think someone ignited a match. So, the gas that was still in the air ignited and struck three people,” Owoyesigyire said.
According to Owoyesigyire, the gas leak was likely caused by a valve or cylinder being left open, allowing the flammable gas to accumulate inside the room before it was ignited.
“The cooking point was also located inside the same room, which had limited ventilation,” he said, adding that the gas cylinder was found intact.
He said the injured workers sustained severe injuries and that police were monitoring their condition as investigations continue.
A team comprising detectives, Scene of Crime Officers, uniformed personnel and an officer from the Police Bomb Squad responded to the scene and conducted an examination.
Police urged members of the public to exercise caution when handling cooking gas and other potentially hazardous materials, particularly in restaurants and other enclosed premises.
Owoyesigyire also advised Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) users to regularly inspect and maintain cylinders, regulators and hoses, ensure adequate ventilation and avoid storing gas cylinders in unsafe or poorly ventilated areas.
“Ensure cylinders are inspected and re-tested as required and avoid using damaged or defective equipment,” he said.
Previous gas accidents
In August 2025, six people, including five Kyambogo University students and a hostel security guard, sustained critical injuries after a cooking gas cylinder exploded at a student hostel in Banda, Kampala.
The incident was attributed to accumulated leaked gas that ignited a fire after a student reportedly lit a flame inside the room.
In November 2021, two people were killed after a gas cylinder explosion near Sunjor Supermarket in Seeta, Mukono district.
The incident was attributed to gas leaking from a cylinder before igniting in a confined space.
Again, in November 2021, two workers were killed, and five others left seriously injured after a gas cylinder exploded at a scrap metal site in Kakoba Division, Mbarara City.
The workers were reportedly attempting to cut open a discarded gas cylinder containing compressed gas using cutting and welding equipment when the explosion occurred.
Earlier in February 2020, a fire involving several gas cylinders caused extensive damage to residential property in Kisasi, Kampala.
The fire reportedly started after a leaking gas cylinder caught fire, triggering a chain reaction involving other cylinders stored at the premises.