A Facebook post claiming there was an explosion around Akamwesi Mall in Kampala, Uganda, is FALSE.
“JUST IN: Another explosion reported around Akamwesi Mall in Kampala. @UgandaRedCross say they have dispatched a rescue team to support alongside ambulances just in case any life-saving interventions are required,” reads the post.
The post is accompanied by three images showing a bomb blast, wreckage and medics taking a patient lying on a stretcher out of an ambulance.
However, a Google reverse image search of the first image shows that it was not taken in Uganda. The image has been used online in different contexts not related to Uganda. The photo was also uploaded on the Shutterstock website and is credited to kingma photos.
A Google reverse image search of the second image shows it was taken in Uganda shortly after the bomb blasts that rocked the capital Kampala on November 16, 2021, and not near Akamwesi Mall. The image has been featured in articles and is credited to AFP photographer Ivan Kabuye.
A Google reverse image search of the third photo shows it was featured on The Independent website in an article about victims of the November 16 bomb blasts in Kampala, being discharged from the Mulago hospital. The image description reads “Bomb victims being delivered at Mulago hospital”.
The Uganda Police Force has rubbished reports that there was a bomb blast at Akamwesi Mall.
Kampala Metropolitan deputy police spokesperson Luke Owoyesigyire said rumours circulating on social media that there had been a blast at Akamwesi Mall in Kyebando are false.
Police have urged the public to avoid the release of unverified information as this may cause unnecessary panic among members of the public.
The Uganda Red Cross Society has also withdrawn its initial tweet reporting that a bomb blast had occurred at Akamwesi Mall in Kampala.
PesaCheck has looked into a Facebook post claiming that there was an explosion around Akamwesi Mall in Kampala and finds it to be FALSE.
