Suspected suicide bombers killed near church in Kampala ahead of Uganda’s Martyrs Day

Kampala. Two suspected terrorists, including an alleged female suicide bomber, were killed in an explosion near a church on Tuesday as Ugandan security forces heightened surveillance ahead of Martyrs Day, the country’s largest religious gathering.

The explosion occurred near the Munyonyo Martyrs Shrine, a historic Catholic pilgrimage site located in a lakeside suburb of Kampala. At the time, a small group of worshippers had gathered for early morning prayers.

Eyewitnesses reported that the blast happened as two individuals, a man and a woman riding a motorcycle, approached the church compound.

“The explosive detonated midway towards the church,” one witness told Daily Monitor. Another added, “The sound was alarmingly loud. It could be heard from several metres away.”

Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) spokesperson, Acting Director Defence Public Information, Colonel Chris Magezi, confirmed that the explosion resulted from a counter-terrorism operation by security forces.

“A UPDF counter-terrorism unit this morning intercepted and neutralised two armed terrorists in Munyonyo. One of the terrorists, female, was a suicide bomber laden with powerful explosives,” said Col Magezi in an official statement.

He emphasized that the operation was intelligence-led and part of broader efforts to secure the Martyrs Day celebrations.

Security forces promptly cordoned off the area and restricted access to the shrine. Authorities reported no civilian casualties as of press time.

The blast site is more than 30 kilometres from the main Martyrs Day commemoration grounds in Namugongo, Wakiso District, where over two million people were expected to gather at Catholic and Anglican shrines in remembrance of Ugandan Christian martyrs executed between 1885 and 1887.

Despite the incident, Mass and prayers continued uninterrupted at the Namugongo site by 11 a.m. local time, with President Yoweri Museveni and First Lady Janet Museveni attending the Anglican service.

Security remained tight as tens of thousands of pilgrims flocked to the sacred sites.

Col Magezi called on the public to remain “calm but vigilant” and to report any suspicious persons, items, or movements to the nearest security personnel.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Abas Byakagaba, speaking to media in a video interview, confirmed the explosion but urged patience as investigations continue.

“We are in control of all the security forces here present. We are just preserving this scene to ensure it is well investigated. So far, no bystanders or people nearby were injured or killed apart from those on the motorcycle,” IGP Byakagaba said. “It’s too early to give anything tangible, but what I can say is that there has been an explosion on a motorcycle. We ask our people to remain alert and conscious of the security situation.”

Uganda has in recent years increased security around public events, citing threats from the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a rebel group affiliated with the Islamic State (IS), which has claimed responsibility for previous attacks in the country.

As of Tuesday morning, no group had claimed responsibility for the failed attack, but security officials said the UPDF operation had likely disrupted a planned assault.