Two Explosions hit Uganda’s capital Kampala

Two bomb explosions were reported in Kampala, Uganda, killing at least three civilians. One exploded on Parliamentary Avenue and the other near the central police station. The explosions caused chaos in Kampala as terrified residents fled the city’s center.

On top of the three dead, 33 others were injured in the blasts, including five critically. The number of dead is likely to rise, with the blasts leaving body parts strewn in the streets.

Proceedings in parliament were called off and MPs advised not to come to the building following the attacks. Cars parked near parliament went up in flames, while the explosion near the police station shattered windows.

“The bomb threats are still active, especially from suicide attackers,” police spokesman Fred Enanga said, blaming the blasts on the Allied Democratic Forces, an Islamic extremist group.

Ugandan officials have been urging vigilance in the wake of a string of bomb explosions in recent weeks. One person was killed and at least seven others wounded in an explosion at a restaurant in a suburb of Kampala on October 23. Another explosion two days later on a passenger bus killed only the suicide bomber, according to police. ADF claimed responsibility for the restaurant attack last month. 

Even before those attacks, the UK government had updated its Uganda travel advisory to say extremists “are very likely to try to carry out attacks” in this East African country.