Two suspected terrorists, including a female suicide bomber, were killed on Monday in Uganda’s capital, Kampala, as the country marked Martyr’s Day, a major Christian commemoration.
According to army spokesperson Col Chris Magezi, a counter-terrorism unit “intercepted and neutralized” the two individuals in Munyonyo, an upscale suburb near the Roman Catholic Munyonyo Martyrs’ Shrine, where pilgrims had gathered for prayer. The army described the suspects as “armed terrorists.”
Local media reported an explosion at the scene, with eyewitnesses telling the Daily Monitor that the blast occurred as the two suspects approached the church on a motorcycle. However, Col Magezi did not confirm an explosion but noted that security forces remain on “heightened alert.”
In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Col Magezi said one of those killed was a female suicide bomber “laden with powerful explosives.” Security and forensic teams later cordoned off the area as investigations got underway, footage from NBS Television showed.
Authorities believe the suspects were linked to the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a militant group affiliated with the Islamic State (IS) network. The ADF has not yet issued any statement regarding the incident.
No civilian casualties were reported, according to Reuters.
The foiled attack comes amid ongoing threats from the ADF. In recent years, the Ugandan army has warned of potential attacks on religious institutions, public gatherings, and schools. In 2023, the ADF was blamed for a deadly assault on a secondary school in western Uganda, which claimed the lives of nearly 40 students.
Martyr’s Day is one of Africa’s largest Christian pilgrimages, drawing millions of believers each year to honour 45 Ugandan martyrs — 22 Catholics and 23 Anglicans — who were executed between 1885 and 1887 for refusing to renounce their faith under the orders of Kabaka Mwanga II of Buganda.
Security remains tight across the country as celebrations continue.
