By Paschal Norbert
KAMPALA, JUNE 4, 2025 (CISA) – Two suspected members of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), including a female suicide bomber, were killed on Tuesday June 3, morning in a preemptive operation by Uganda’s counterterrorism forces near the Munyonyo Martyrs’ Shrine in Kampala. The attempted attack occurred as thousands of pilgrims gathered across Uganda’s capital for the annual Martyrs’ Day celebrations, one of the country’s most significant religious commemorations.
According to authorities, the suspects were intercepted and killed during an intelligence-led operation carried out by the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) in Munyonyo, a high-end suburb located along the northern shores of Lake Victoria. The explosion occurred shortly after security personnel confronted the suspects, who were reportedly riding a motorcycle near the perimeter of the shrine grounds.
“A counterterrorism unit this morning intercepted and neutralised two armed terrorists in Munyonyo,” said Colonel Chris Magezi, Acting Director of Defence Public Information, in a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter).
“One of the terrorists, a female, was a suicide bomber laden with powerful explosives,” he stated.
Footage aired on a local television, showed a destroyed motorcycle, scorched debris, and a heavy security presence in the area shortly after the incident. The explosion, according to the Kampala Metropolitan Police, occurred while the suspects were in motion.
“The good thing, though, is that there were no people nearby who were injured,” said Uganda’s Police Chief, Abas Byakagaba, during a televised interview with NBS. He confirmed that the blast took place while “two people were on a motorcycle” and noted that the swift operation likely prevented a catastrophic attack during the large public gathering.
Although no group has officially claimed responsibility, military and police sources have linked the thwarted attack to the ADF, a jihadist rebel group originally formed in western Uganda in the late 1990s. The group was later driven into the dense forests of eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, where it has continued insurgent operations. In recent years, the ADF pledged allegiance to the Islamic State (ISIL/ISIS), which has amplified the group’s regional and international threat profile.
The ADF was responsible for a series of deadly bombings in Kampala in 2021, which killed multiple civilians and injured dozens more. The United Nations and other international bodies have accused the group of widespread human rights abuses, including mass killings, abductions, and attacks on schools and places of worship in the eastern DRC region.
The timing of Tuesday’s attempted attack appeared calculated to exploit the large public gatherings associated with Martyrs’ Day, a solemn national holiday in Uganda commemorating the 45 Christian converts executed for their faith between 1885 and 1887 under the reign of Kabaka Mwanga II of Buganda. The Munyonyo Martyrs’ Shrine is among several key pilgrimage sites connected to these events, and celebrations regularly draw thousands of faithful, including high-profile clergy and dignitaries.
In response to the incident, security forces have intensified patrols across Kampala and surrounding districts. Roadblocks have been erected near key venues, and surveillance has been increased in all areas hosting pilgrims and religious ceremonies.
Colonel Magezi called on the public to remain alert while trusting in the capabilities of Uganda’s security services.
“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, appealing “The general public is urged to remain calm but vigilant and report to the security services any suspicious individuals, objects, or activities for immediate attention.”
Martyrs’ Day, celebrated annually on June 3, holds immense spiritual and cultural significance in Uganda. The event not only honours the country’s first Christian martyrs but also serves as a national symbol of religious tolerance and resilience.
Thanks to the vigilance of the UPDF and security services, this year’s commemorations proceeded without further incident.
