Residents Praise Prompt Action: Army Removes Abandoned Explosive in Masaka
In a potentially catastrophic turn of events, a 60-millimeter mortar bomb was discovered and safely removed by the army’s bomb squad in a suburb of Masaka City. The abandoned explosive device, believed to date back to the 1979 liberation war, was found adjacent to Mogas Petrol Station on Nyendo–Villa Maria Road.
Captain Ibrahim Ssekitto, the spokesperson for the army’s mechanized brigade in Kasijjagirwa, shared that a distress call was received on Thursday at 1 pm from Kayirikiti in Nyendo–Mukungwe Municipality, Masaka City. The explosive ordnance disposal team promptly responded and transported the bomb to the Kasijjagirwa barracks for safe disposal.
The public was urged to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious materials in their surroundings to the security authorities. Abandoned mortar bombs like the one found are inherently dangerous, with the potential to cause harm up to 60 meters away if they were to detonate.
Local residents expressed their gratitude to the joint security forces for their swift intervention, preventing a potential disaster. The origin of the explosive remains a subject of speculation, with authorities suspecting that it may have been brought into the area by individuals dealing in scrap materials.
