By Regina Lalam Olal

LIRA CITY, Uganda — Two mechanics have been killed and three other people injured following a gas cylinder explosion at Ireda Central Park Cell in Lira City East Division on Saturday, October 10, 2026.

According to a statement issued by North Kyoga Regional Police spokesperson SP Okema, the incident occurred at approximately 6:00 p.m. while the two mechanics were repairing a motorcycle at their garage.

The deceased have been identified as Okabo James and another man identified only as Daniel, both adult males working as mechanics.

Preliminary police investigations indicate that the two were using a gas cylinder during the motorcycle repair when it suddenly exploded, killing them instantly and injuring three people who were nearby.

The explosion occurred in the middle of a busy market area, where members of the public were present at the time of the incident.

Police said the incident was reported by Omara Martin, 42, the Lango Defence Secretary of Ireda Central Park Cell and a resident of the same area.

A police team led by the Divisional Police Commander (DPC) for Lira City East Division, alongside officers from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), Crime Intelligence and the Scene of Crime Office (SOCO), visited the scene with support from officers from Lira Central Police Station.

Witness statements were recorded, while the bodies of the deceased were transported to Lira Regional Referral Hospital for postmortem examinations.

The three injured persons were also evacuated to the hospital for treatment.

Police further revealed that one of the deceased sustained injuries that resulted in the dismemberment of parts of his body, while the other suffered severe head injuries.

The explosion also damaged a nearby stationary white trailer, registration number UA 732DX, after a fragment from the gas cylinder reportedly struck its bumper and front windscreen.

The wreckage of two motorcycles was taken to Lira City East Division Police Station for further management.

Police have opened a case file of a Deadly Explosion of Fire (D.E.F), with investigations ongoing to establish the exact cause of the explosion, identify the injured persons, verify the particulars of the deceased and obtain postmortem examination results.

SP Okema said further inquiries were underway as police continued with investigations into the fatal incident.