MUNYONYO .
Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF) has revealed that the female suicide bomber who died near Munyonyo Basilica on Tuesday morning had links with Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a rebel outfit based in Democratic Republic of Congo(DRC) .
Two suspects , including the alleged female bomber, died when explosives detonated during the early morning operation, according to UPDF .
“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.” Col Chris Magezi, acting Director of Defence Public Information, said in a statement
The blast happened near Munyonyo Martyrs Basilica , where a small congregation had gathered for morning prayers ahead of the national Martyrs’ Day celebrations at Namugongo Shrines
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.”he explained
However, the explosion 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 any disruption.
In Munyonyo on the shores of Lake Victoria , joint security operatives 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.”
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 counter-terrorism 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.
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.