By Our Reporter
The UPDF Director Defence Public Information Col Chris Magezi has blamed an attempted bomb attack by a female suicide bomber on the Munyonyo Martyrs’ Shrine on the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) based in Eastern Congo.
“This morning at around 8:30, our counter terrorism units intercepted a suicide bomber riding on a motorcycle 600 metres from the Munyonyo Basilica which was the ultimate target, if she had managed to infiltrate through, we would be talking about a different story now” he said.
Magezi added, “We engaged them and ultimately her explosive she was wearing or carrying in the back pack went off and the rider also died, the suicide bombing and preliminary investigations all lead to the ADF operatives”.
Magezi who made the revelation while addressing press at Ministry of Defence headquarter Mbuya on Tuesday said the lady, in her 20’s identified as Aisha Katushabe alias Byaruhanga Sumayiyah alias Kabonesa had been in the UPDF’s custody before in October 2023 and was interrogated because of her alleged links with the ADF.
“Intelligence findings show that her husband called Muzafaru was killed by our counter terrorism forces in 2021, he was among the group who wanted to bomb the funeral and mourners of the late Deputy Inspector of Police Paul Lokech, at that time we arrested some suspects and some were killed” he said.
Magezi further noted that Katushabe was a daughter to Abdu Shakur, “The suicide bomber who blew himself up at Kampala CPS in 2021, the other incidence was along parliamentary avenue, these are strong links with ADF which we knew about”.
Magezi said security was aware of the ADF plans to attack worshipers and pilgrims at the Munyonyo Basilica after arresting an ADF operative a few days back.
“In fact we arrested a suspect two days ago who is currently in custody right now who gave us very useful information, we found him with laptops and several rounds of ammunition, interrogations are still taking place” he said.
The foiled attack comes as Uganda hosts its annual Uganda Martyrs Day celebrations which draw millions of pilgrims from Uganda, East Africa, and beyond marking the execution of 45 Christian converts between 1885 and 1887.
