KAMPALA, Uganda | At least eight people were injured Sunday night following a sauna explosion at Buziga Country Resort in Makindye Division, Kampala. The blast occurred around 10:00 PM, causing panic among guests and significant property damage.
Kampala Metropolitan Police Deputy Spokesperson Luke Owoyesigyire confirmed the incident, noting that rescue teams responded quickly to evacuate the victims. “No one died,” he said, adding that the injured were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment.
Eyewitnesses described a loud explosion followed by smoke and flames in the sauna area. Preliminary reports point to a possible heat system failure, though police have launched investigations to determine the exact cause.
This incident highlights a concerning pattern of sauna-related accidents in Kampala and surrounding areas:
- 2019, Kyaliwajjala (Wakiso District): Five people were injured when a steam bath boiler exploded at Marco Gym and Spa due to a faulty control valve.
- 2011, Ntinda (Kampala): Eight people were hurt after a gas cylinder detonated inside a health club sauna.
Sauna accidents have also raised safety concerns globally. In 2025, Australian influencer Dominique Elissa narrowly escaped a sauna explosion in Byron Bay, while in Cheltenham, UK, in 2022, a woman died from heatstroke inside a gym sauna, prompting lawsuits over safety standards.
Authorities are urging gyms, spas, and resorts to enforce stricter safety protocols, including regular inspections, the installation of pressure-relief valves, and improved emergency response measures.
Police have indicated that a detailed report on the Buziga explosion will be released once investigations conclude.