Written By | Bruno Mugizi
According to police, the incident happened as the victim was closing the church doors when a sudden explosion occurred within the church premises. FILE PHOTO
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Rukiga
Police in Rukiga District are investigating the circumstances under which a suspected tear gas canister exploded, seriously injuring a 17-year-old student at All Saints Church, Muhanga Town Council.
The incident occurred on December 26, 2025, at around 8:40pm in Muhanga Central Ward, Muhanga Town Council, Rukiga District.
The victim has been identified as Dalton Akoragye, a student and son of Rev. Jasper Byaruhanga of All Saints Church, Muhanga.
According to police, the incident happened as the victim was closing the church doors when a sudden explosion occurred within the church premises.
Neighbours who responded to the sound found the teenager in severe pain, with his left hand shattered and bleeding profusely, while the area was filled with suspected tear gas smoke.
Police were promptly alerted and responded to the scene. The victim was rushed to hospital using a Police Integrated Highway Patrol vehicle for emergency medical treatment.
Confirming the incident, Kigezi Region Police Spokesperson Elly Maate said investigations have commenced to establish the exact cause of the blast.
“A case file has been opened to investigate the circumstances surrounding the explosion and to establish how the victim came into possession of the suspected tear gas canister. Fragments of the suspected canister were recovered from the scene and have been exhibited for forensic analysis,” Maate said.
Police noted that the victim resides near Muhanga Police Barracks, and investigators are exploring the possibility that the suspected tear gas canister may have been picked from the barracks area for unknown reasons before being kept at the church.
Torch Media Africa
