Police name Buziga sauna explosion victims, say investigating suspected gross negligence

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Police have named the three victims of Sunday’s sauna explosion at Buziga Country Resort, all of whom suffered varying degrees of injury.

“The victims have been identified as Hajjat Mastula, 69, who also serves as the LC1 vice-chairperson of Katuso cell; Zahra Nakawesi, 39; and Mamaram Aisha,” Kampala Metropolitan Police deputy spokesperson Luke Owoyesigyire said during the weekly joint security briefing at the Uganda Police headquarters in Naguru on Monday, August 25, 2025.

Hajjat Mastula reportedly sustained severe burns to her back, chest, and lower body. Zahra Nakawesi suffered burns and a broken leg, while Mamaram Aisha sustained multiple burns across her body.

"All three women were initially rushed to Kiruddu Hospital for emergency treatment. Two of them were later referred to Nsambya Hospital and Mulago National Referral Hospital, where they are currently receiving specialised care," he said.

Suspected negligence

Owoyesigyire said Police have launched an investigation into the incident, which has been categorised a case of gross negligence. The massive explosion occurred at the sauna, located inside Buziga Country Resort in Upper Buziga Zone, Makindye division, Kampala district on Sunday, August 24, at about 8:30pm, leaving the three women seriously injured while causing significant structural damage to the facility.

“We are treating this as an incident of suspected negligence that resulted in a dangerous explosion,” Owoyesigyire said, adding that a Police team responded swiftly to the scene, where they discovered extensive destruction.

Part of the structure had collapsed, several walls had developed serious cracks, and the facility was littered with debris, broken glass, and bloodstains.

“Preliminary findings indicate that the explosion inside the sauna was massive. However, the exact cause is still under investigation,” he noted.

Owoyesigyire confirmed that no arrests had been made as of Monday, and that the facility remains cordoned off as a crime scene to preserve evidence.

“No one is allowed into the sauna or the surrounding premises until investigations are complete. We have recorded several statements and continue to gather evidence,” he said.

Regulatory bodies to be enlisted

To ensure a comprehensive investigation, Police will be working with additional regulatory agencies.

“We are engaging the National Building Review Board to assess the structural integrity of the sauna and verify whether safety and construction standards were adhered to—particularly with regard to temperature regulation and equipment used,” Owoyesigyire explained.

“Once we receive the full technical report, we will determine who should be held legally accountable for this act of negligence,” he said.

Police have pledged to provide further updates as the investigation progresses.