The explosion occurred while the motorcade with the Kosovo president was moving towards the local airport, where Rugova was to meet the EU's High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, Javier Solana.
According to still unconfirmed information, the explosive device that went off was found in a refuse container in downtown Pristina.
Kosovo police spokesman Saban Tasoli said that one person was lightly injured and that the car carrying Rugova was damaged in the explosion. The police have sealed off the site of the explosion. No other details have been released.