At least six people, including five Kyambogo University students, were critically injured on Monday night after a gas explosion at Sports Pro Hostel in Banda Zone Nine, Nakawa Division, Kampala.
The blast ripped through the ground floor of the three-storey building after a student reportedly lit a cooking gas cylinder in her room. The explosion shattered windows, blew doors off their hinges, and left several residents and bystanders injured.
Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Patrick Onyango confirmed the incident, saying the fire and rescue teams had swiftly responded to secure the area.
“Victims were referred to Naguru and Mulago hospitals for further treatment. The damage was big,” Onyango noted.
Among the worst affected was Frank, the hostel’s security guard, who was first rushed to a nearby clinic before being transferred to Naguru Hospital. Five Kyambogo University students were also hospitalized, including Flavia Chelangat and Florence Akello, while the identities of three others had not yet been confirmed by press time.
Police attributed the explosion to a faulty cooking gas cylinder and urged the public to follow proper safety guidelines.
“The cause of the explosion has been confirmed as a cooking gas cylinder, but we remind the public that it’s crucial to handle cylinders with care and observe safety precautions to avoid such tragedies,” Onyango cautioned.
The hostel has since been cordoned off as investigations continue. Gas usage has steadily risen in Ugandan households in recent years due to its convenience and affordability.
However, the ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources admits the sector lacks comprehensive regulations and says efforts are underway to establish clear safety rules for oil and gas usage.