Kampala on high alert after female suicide bomber dies in explosion

Tension engulfed Uganda’s capital on Tuesday morning of June 3, 2025, following a deadly explosion that killed two suspected rebels near the Munyonyo Martyrs’ Shrine in Kampala.

The blast occurred as thousands of worshippers assembled at the historic shrine to commemorate Martyrs’ Day, an annual national holiday honoring 19th-century Christian martyrs.

Ugandan military officials confirmed that the two assailants, believed to be members of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), were neutralized by a counter-terrorism unit in the upscale suburb of Munyonyo.

One of the suspects was a female suicide bomber strapped with powerful explosives.

Army spokesperson Colonel Chris Magezi posted on X that the suspects were intercepted before they could carry out a larger plot.

He stated that the swift action of security operatives prevented mass casualties.

Authorities reported that the suspects were traveling on a motorcycle when the explosion occurred.

The female bomber’s device detonated, killing both assailants instantly. No civilians were reported injured in the incident.

Independent broadcaster NBS aired disturbing footage showing a shattered motorcycle and a lifeless body lying in debris on a roadside near the shrine.

Kampala police chief Abas Byakagaba told NBS in a video posted online that the explosion took place along a route heavily used by pilgrims heading to the shrine.

“Two people were on a motorcycle and an explosion occurred,” he said. “The good thing is that there were no people nearby who were injured.”

Police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke did not respond to requests for further comment.

Although no group has claimed responsibility, security agencies suspect the ADF, a rebel outfit with known links to the Islamic State, was behind the attack.

Meanwhile, the ADF has a history of launching coordinated bombings in Uganda, including a series of attacks in 2021.

The ADF was formed in the 1990s by Ugandan Muslim extremists and initially waged war against the Ugandan government from bases in western Uganda.

The group later moved operations to eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, where the United Nations holds them responsible for the deaths of thousands of civilians.

Tuesday’s foiled attack has prompted Ugandan security agencies to tighten surveillance and increase troop deployment around churches, shopping centers, and transportation hubs across the capital.

Officials believe the suspects may have been planning a broader attack to disrupt Martyrs’ Day celebrations and cause mass panic among the thousands of pilgrims visiting the shrine.

President Yoweri Museveni issued a stern warning to rebel elements, saying any attempt to destabilize Uganda would be “crushed with precision.”

He attributed the ongoing threats to ADF sleeper cells operating with foreign support.

The government has assured citizens that Martyrs’ Day commemorations will proceed under heavy military and police protection.

Investigations into the explosion are ongoing, and intelligence officials are tracking movements along the Congo border and the outskirts of Kampala.

Authorities have urged the public to remain alert and report any suspicious individuals or unattended items to security agencies.

No further casualties have been confirmed as search operations continue in the area.

The blast underscores the persistent threat posed by extremist groups in the region and the importance of vigilant security efforts during major national and religious events.

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