Kampala, Uganda — June 3, 2025
A foiled suicide bombing at Munyonyo Basilica has sent shockwaves across Uganda after security forces identified one of the attackers as the daughter of the suicide bomber responsible for the 2021 Kampala Central Police Station (CPS) blast.
The female suspect, intercepted and killed during Tuesday morning’s operation, was reportedly wearing an active suicide vest when she was stopped by Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) counter-terrorism units. Her explosive device detonated upon being shot, preventing what could have been a mass-casualty attack targeting Martyrs Day pilgrims.
The dramatic operation unfolded at Munyonyo, one of the key pilgrimage sites for the annual Uganda Martyrs Day celebration, which draws millions of worshippers from across East Africa. The attackers are believed to be affiliated with the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a terror group linked to ISIS.
Security sources revealed the suspects arrived on a motorcycle, which was destroyed in the blast. A second male suspect was also neutralized at the scene, with forensic teams now combing through the wreckage.
This latest incident bears haunting similarities to the November 2021 attacks in Kampala, where coordinated bombings targeted CPS and Parliament Avenue, killing multiple people and signaling a shift in ADF’s urban terror strategy.
Colonel Chris Magezi, Acting Director of Defence Public Information, confirmed the operation was intelligence-led and praised the swift action by security forces. “We are on high alert to ensure that the Martyrs Day celebrations proceed safely,” he said.
Authorities have since heightened security around all religious sites as investigations continue.
