Kigali has been in mourning since Wednesday, following a deadly grenade attack that left two dead and 16 more injured near a market in the Rwandan capital. Populations fear a return of the wave of violence that has shaken the country over the past two years.

By Julian Rubavu, Kigali

In the aftermath of the tragedy, survivors of the explosion are still struggling to recall the events. Everything happened so fast, Eugène Niyibizi explains: “I was about to go to the shoemaker when I was burnt on the forehead by a sudden blast. Before I knew it, I was being transported to the Kibagabaga hospital by soldiers who were assisting the victims”.

Bloodbath
When security forces arrived on the scene in the early hours of January 4, what was once an open market for fresh produce in the Remela neighbourhood had turned into a bloodbath.

“We’ve taken 18 injured victims to various hospitals, namely in Kibagabaga and Kanombe. Two of the three critically injured victims died on the way to the hospital”, declared police spokesperson Theos Badege.

However, according to Christian Umuhoza, a doctor at the Kibagabaga hospital, there were more casualties. “We received 32 injury cases, 25 were able to return to their families and seven were kept here for observation. One critically injured patient was transferred to the Kanombe hospital. We are currently treating six injury cases here in Kibagabaga”.

Investigations underway
Residents in the Rwandan capital, Kigali, claim that Wednesday’s explosion occurred at the same time as other explosions in recent years. Between 2009 and 2011, there have been numerous grenade attacks around Kigali and other regions in Rwanda. Rwandan authorities have described them as terrorist acts aimed at destabilising the country. However, “no responsible party has yet been identified" for the recent attacks and "investigations are underway”, says police spokesman Theos Badege.

Like André Muganwa, who witnessed the deadly blast that killed his friend, concern is growing among Kigali residents. “I lost my great friend and colleague. This tragedy is shocking because there is a strong presence of security forces, with military, police and other security agents constantly on patrol in Kigali and around the country”, Muganwa laments. With the omnipresence of security forces around the country, one cannot help but wonder whether they'll be a resurgence of such acts of violence.