Grenade hidden in rubbish kills one in Rukungiri

Police in Rukungiri has started investigating circumstances under which an 18-year-old man was killed by an explosive suspected to be a grenade.

According to the Kigezi regional police spokesperson, Elly Matte, the incident happened on Thursday at Kimanyoha cell, Nyakajema Sub County in Rukungiri district when Julius Ahereza, 18 was hit by the suspected grenade that exploded as he collected rubbish.

“Julius Ahereza died on spot when an explosive device blasted while at home collecting rubbing at a mango tree to burn them. As he proceeded to the pit, a big blast most likely of a rusty grenade was heard and it killed him instantly,”Maate said in a statement.

The regional police spokesperson said that the police bomb squad was later notified, visited the scene and cordoned it off for investigations into the blast and the object the exploded to begin.

“The body was taken to Rwakabengo health centre for postmortem and inquiries underway at Rukungiri Police Station under CRB 1054/2019.”

Past incidents

In February, a 15-year-old pupil was rushed to Kabale Regional Referral Hospital after being injured in a grenade explosion.

Benjamin Ariho, a primary six pupil at Kyanamira primary school and resident of Nyakatare village in Kyanamira Sub County was hit by a grenade that he picked and opening it, it triggered an explosion that shattered his hand.

In 2009, three pupil of Kiswa Primary School in Kapchorwa were killed in a grenade blast that they were unknowingly playing with in the school compound.

It was reported that the stick grenade was brought by one of the pupils to the school after mistaking it for a torch before asking his friends to examine it and how it worked but in the process, its pin was dislodged before it exploded killing the three pupils instantly.