Kampala, Uganda - A suspected suicide attack was thwarted in Uganda’s capital on Tuesday, leaving two suspected Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) operatives — including a female suicide bomber — dead in a blast near the Munyonyo Martyrs’ Shrine in Kampala.

The explosion occurred in the upscale Munyonyo suburb as worshippers gathered ahead of Uganda’s Martyrs’ Day, one of the country’s most sacred religious holidays commemorating Christians executed in the 19th century for their faith. No civilian casualties were reported.

According to army spokesperson Chris Magezi, the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) counterterrorism unit intercepted and neutralised the suspects before they could reach the main crowd. He confirmed that one of the attackers, a woman, was carrying powerful explosives at the time of the blast.

“A counterterrorism unit this morning intercepted and neutralised two armed terrorists in Munyonyo,” Magezi stated via X, formerly Twitter. “One of them was a female suicide bomber laden with explosives.”

Footage from the scene aired by NBS Television showed the wreckage of a motorcycle and debris scattered across the road — a grim reminder of Uganda’s past encounters with violent extremism. Kampala Metropolitan Police Commander Abas Byakagaba told reporters the explosion happened while the suspects were riding a motorbike. "Luckily, no civilians were close enough to be injured,” he said.

While no group has yet claimed responsibility, authorities suspect the involvement of the ADF, a rebel faction with roots in Uganda that has since entrenched itself in eastern DR Congo. The group, which has pledged allegiance to ISIS, was responsible for a series of deadly bombings in Kampala in 2021.

The ADF has been designated a terrorist organization by the UN and has been linked to numerous atrocities in the Great Lakes region, including the killing of civilians and cross-border attacks.

Security has now been tightened across the capital, especially around key religious and public sites, as pilgrims continue to gather for Martyrs’ Day.


By WafricNews Desk.