UPDF says alleged Munyonyo female suicide bomber tied to ADF, past bombings in Uganda
UPDF soldiers are seen on guard at the Munyonyo Roman Catholic shrine in Kampala on June 3, 2025. Inset is Col Chris Magezi, acting Director of Defence Public Information. PHOTO/SCREENGRAB.
What you need to know:
- UPDF has pushed back on claims that the detonation was voluntary and unprovoked.
- The army has also provided an update on the motorcycle rider killed in the explosion.
Uganda’s military said Tuesday it had thwarted a bigger –planned- terrorist attack on Martyrs’ Day celebrations after intercepting a suspected female suicide bomber near a church in Munyonyo, a lakeside suburb of Kampala.
Two people, including the alleged bomber, died when explosives detonated during the early morning operation, according to the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF).
“These preliminary findings point to ADF operatives,” said Col Chris Magezi, acting Director of Defence Public Information, referring to the Allied Democratic Forces, a rebel group affiliated with Islamic State.
“At around 8:30am, we intercepted a suicide bomber 600 metres from the ultimate target. We engaged them, and the explosive she was wearing went off. The rider also died.”
Police and the military deployed at the scene where an explosion killed one person in Munyonyo, an upscale suburb of Uganda's capital, Kampala on June 3, 2025. PHOTO/ Felix Manyindo
The explosion occurred close to Munyonyo Martyrs Shrine, where a small congregation had gathered for morning prayers ahead of the national Martyrs’ Day celebrations, Uganda’s largest annual religious event.
Pushing back on claims that the detonation was voluntary and unprovoked, Magezi said: “Their aim was to hit a massive gathering. It was not their choice to detonate at that place. Some bullets were discharged. Our actions caused the explosives to go off. It was not voluntary. Sometimes, they prefer to die instead of being captured.”
However, the blast site was more than 30 kilometres from the main celebrations in Namugongo, which were later attended by President Museveni and First Lady Janet Museveni at the Anglican shrine.
The service concluded without disruption and Museveni, in a more than 20-minute address, didn't say anything about the security incident in Munyonyo.
Still in Munyonyo, security forces swiftly cordoned off the scene. No civilian casualties were reported.
Addressing journalists in Kampala, Col Magezi identified the alleged suicide bomber as Aisha Katushabe, also known as Sumayiyah Byaruhanga or Kabonesa, a woman in her twenties who he said “was previously arrested in October 2023 over alleged ties to the ADF.”
Col Chris Magezi, acting Director of Defence Public Information addresses journalists in Kampala on June 3, 2025.
Asked how she left custody, Magezi said: “We didn’t have sufficient evidence. This should show you that Uganda’s security and justice systems try to be fair. But today we’ve been vindicated—she was a terrorist.”
He added that Katushabe was the daughter of Abdul Shakur, a suicide bomber who blew himself up at Kampala Central Police Station in 2021, and the widow of Muzafalu, another ADF suspect killed by counterterrorism forces the same year after plotting to bomb mourners of the late Deputy IGP Lt Gen Paul Lokech.
“These are strong ADF links we had been monitoring. Intelligence knew the group was planning to attack pilgrims,” Magezi said, adding that another suspect had been arrested days earlier with a laptop and ammunition, providing “useful information” that helped avert a larger attack.
The motorcycle used in the failed bombing was registered under the name Musana Yusuf, whose identity and connection to the suspects remain under investigation, according to Col Magezi.
Col Magezi said security would remain tight until all pilgrims had left Namugongo.
“Our security posture will remain the same until everyone has disappeared from Namugongo,” he said. “We congratulate our forces for preventing catastrophe.”
The ADF were yet to claim the attack by Tuesday evening.
On repeated UPDF raids on police stations, Col Magezi said: "Our agencies will meet and decide where the problem could have come from. We UPDF punish our soldiers who offend the law. If we find out that our soldiers committed a crime, we shall address it so that we keep working together."
About Martyrs' Day
Martyrs’ Day commemorates dozens of Ugandan Christians executed between 1885 and 1887 for refusing to renounce their faith. Over two million people were expected at this year’s 140th anniversary celebrations at the Namugongo shrines.
Church of Uganda Anglican Archbishop Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu receives President Museveni and First Lady Janet Museveni at the Martyrs' site in Wakiso District, central Uganda on June 3, 2025. PHOTO/HANDOUT/CoU
Uganda, which borders conflict-prone nations such as South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, has experienced periodic attacks blamed on the ADF, which is designated a terrorist group by both Kampala and Washington.
“Uganda is relatively secure,” Col Magezi said. “You can’t say the same about our neighbors. But for 40 years, we’ve protected Ugandans and will continue to do so, even better now with our growing capabilities and cooperation with locals and international partners.”
