Two mechanics have been killed and three people injured following a gas cylinder explosion at Ireda Central Park Cell in Lira City.
The explosion occurred at about 6 p.m. on Saturday, October 10, 2026, as the mechanics were reportedly repairing a motorcycle at their garage.
The deceased have been identified as Okabo James and another man identified only as Daniel, both adult males who worked as mechanics. Police said the identities of the three injured people had not yet been established.
According to a statement issued by North Kyoga Region Police spokesperson SP Patrick Okema, preliminary investigations indicate that the two mechanics were using a gas cylinder during the repair work when it suddenly exploded, killing them instantly and injuring three people nearby.
The incident occurred in a busy market area where several members of the public were present. Police said one of the deceased sustained injuries so severe that parts of his body were dismembered, while the other suffered severe head injuries.
The bodies were taken to Lira Regional Referral Hospital for postmortem examinations, while the injured victims were also evacuated to the facility for treatment. The explosion also damaged a nearby stationary white trailer, registration number UA 732DX, after a fragment from the gas cylinder struck its front bumper and windscreen.
The wreckage of two motorcycles involved in the incident was taken to Lira City East Division Police for further management. The incident was also recorded in the police CITRAS system. Police have opened a case file of Death by Explosion to establish the exact cause of the blast, verify the identities of the deceased, identify the injured victims and obtain postmortem examination results.
Okema expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and wished the injured a quick recovery. He also urged members of the public to exercise extreme caution when handling gas cylinders and other pressurised equipment, particularly during repair work, and ensure that such activities are carried out by competent personnel under appropriate safety conditions.