A major terror attack was thwarted in Kampala just hours before the annual Uganda Martyrs Day celebrations, as security forces intercepted two suspected suicide bombers near the Munyonyo Basilica.
One of the assailants, a woman wearing a suicide vest, has been identified as the daughter of a man who carried out a deadly suicide bombing at the Kampala Central Police Station in November 2021.
The woman was reportedly on a mission to target pilgrims gathered at the Basilica ahead of the June 3rd commemorations.
According to the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), she was killed during an intelligence-led operation when counter-terrorism operatives intercepted her and an accomplice as they approached the sacred site.
The suspects had arrived on a motorcycle, which was destroyed in the explosion triggered during the security response.Col. Chris Magezi, Acting Director of Defence Public Information, confirmed the action.
“A UPDF counter-terrorism unit this morning intercepted and neutralized two armed terrorists in Munyonyo, an upscale city suburb. It was an intelligence-led operation, and the security services are on heightened alert to ensure the Martyrs Day celebrations proceed without disruption,” he said.
However, the circumstances surrounding the incident remain contested. While the UPDF maintains the suspects were shot before they could detonate their devices, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Abbas Byakagaba offered a different version.
“Preliminary investigations show there was a detonation. This was a targeted attack, and we thank our teams for quickly managing the situation,” he stated.
The explosion sent shockwaves through Munyonyo, a normally quiet suburb of Kampala. Sniffer dogs, bomb experts, and forensic teams combed the area in the aftermath.
Human remains were recovered at the scene, with detectives searching for additional explosives. Road access to and from the area was locked down as a precautionary measure.
The foiled attack comes nearly three years after the 2021 twin bombings in central Kampala, for which the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a terrorist group affiliated with the Islamic State, claimed responsibility.
One of those attacks involved a suicide bomber detonating at the entrance to the Central Police Station, killing several people and injuring dozens.
Security officials now say the woman killed in Munyonyo was his daughter, continuing a disturbing legacy of radicalization.
As the country prepares to commemorate the Uganda Martyrs, 45 Christian converts executed between 1885 and 1887 for their faith, millions of pilgrims are expected to gather at Namugongo.
The attempted bombing has prompted a significant tightening of security measures across Kampala. Authorities have urged the public to remain calm but vigilant.
The investigation into the attempted bombing is ongoing, and both the UPDF and police have pledged to maintain heightened vigilance throughout the Martyrs Day events.
