KAMPALA, Uganda — At least eight people sustained injuries on Sunday night following a sauna explosion at the Buziga Country Resort in Makindye Division, Kampala. The incident occurred around 8:30 PM, triggering panic among resort guests and resulting in extensive damage to property.
The Kampala Metropolitan Police Deputy Spokesperson, Luke Owoyesigyire, confirmed the incident, stating that rescue teams responded swiftly to evacuate victims.
“No one died,” Owoyesigyire said, adding that the injured individuals were immediately transported to nearby hospitals for medical attention.
The victims have since been identified as: Hajjat Masitula, 69, Vice Chairperson LC I of Katuso Cell, who suffered severe burns on the back, chest and lower body. Zahara Nakawesi Kasenene, 39, who sustained burns and a broken left leg. Mamaram Aisha, who sustained multiple severe burns across her body.
All three victims were initially rushed to Kiruddu Hospital for emergency treatment. Two of them were later referred to Nsambya and Mulago Hospitals respectively, where they are receiving specialized medical attention.
Eyewitness accounts reported a powerful blast, followed by the appearance of smoke and flames within the sauna area.
Preliminary reports suggest the explosion may have been caused by a heat system failure, though police have launched a full investigation to establish the exact cause.
The Buziga explosion contributes to a worrying pattern of sauna-related incidents in Kampala and its surrounding areas:
- In 2019, in Kyaliwajjala (Wakiso District), a steam bath boiler explosion at Marco Gym and Spa injured five people due to a faulty control valve that caused overheating.
- In 2011, in Ntinda (Kampala), eight people were injured when a gas cylinder exploded at a local health club sauna.
Globally, sauna accidents have also highlighted safety concerns. For example, in Australia in 2025, influencer Dominique Elissa narrowly escaped a sauna explosion in Byron Bay.
Also Read: Ugandan forces neutralize another suspected female suicide bomber in Kampala
In Cheltenham, UK, in 2022, a woman died from heatstroke inside a gym sauna, prompting legal action over safety standards.
Authorities have urged operators of gyms, spas, and resorts to implement stricter safety protocols, including regular equipment inspections, the installation of pressure-relief valves, and improved emergency response measures.
The police stated that a detailed report on the Buziga incident will be released once investigations are concluded.
