On September 26, 2023, in Wobulenzi Town, Luweero District, an unsettling discovery was made near a school playing ground. Ten bomb shells were found abandoned, causing immediate concern among the community.
The Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) deployed a ballistic expert from the bomb squad to assess the situation. Upon examination, it was determined that these war materials were not active and seemed to have been smuggled from restricted areas. The fear was that they could potentially fall into the wrong hands for reuse.
Local police authorities in Luweero District are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the discovery of these bomb shells near the school. Al-Answar Primary School officials and the Nakasero zone community were alerted to the situation, causing panic among residents.
According to Mr. Sam Twineamazima, the spokesperson for the Savannah police, the recovered shells have been safely removed from the area for further examination by security experts. He stated, “The items were retrieved and are a subject of investigation by experts.”
It later became evident that these war materials were not live Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs) loaded with ammunition warheads, as initially feared. Instead, they were found to be dismantled and did not pose an immediate risk of causing an explosion.
While authorities and security forces are still puzzled about how these shells ended up in the area, confidential security sources suggested that they might have been smuggled out of a restricted security zone by metal scrap dealers. These dealers, fearing potential danger and apprehension, likely chose to discard the shells in a nearby bush.
Mr. Nurdin Kiwanuka, the LC1 Chairperson for Nakasero zone in Wobulenzi Town Council, received a report from his Vice Chairperson about the suspected bombs. He promptly informed the police and explained, “It has emerged that the materials are not live bombs but war material that had been dismantled and possibly smuggled out of restricted areas by metal scrap dealers.”
This incident brings back memories of a similar discovery on September 12, 2022, when a rusty bomb was defused by ballistic experts in Kikoma village, Wobulenzi Town Council. It is believed that this unexploded bomb was part of war materials abandoned more than 40 years ago during a guerrilla war that led to the National Resistance Army/Movement (NRA/M) assuming power.