Two Suspected Rebels Killed In Foiled Bomb Attack Near Kampala Shrine Uganda.
A suspected bomb plot was thwarted in Uganda’s capital, Kampala, on Tuesday, 3 June 2025, resulting in the deaths of two individuals believed to be armed terrorists. The incident unfolded in Munyonyo, an upscale suburb, near a Roman Catholic shrine, as the nation observed a holiday commemorating Christian martyrs killed between 1885 and 1887.
Uganda’s military authorities confirmed in a statement that security forces “intercepted and neutralised two armed terrorists” on a passenger motorcycle. The pair, a man and a woman, were being tracked by a counter-terrorism unit when the female passenger appeared to detonate an explosive device prematurely, according to police spokesman Kituuma Rusoke. Both suspects perished in the blast, but no other casualties were reported, a fortunate outcome hailed by officials.
The explosion occurred close to the Munyonyo Martyrs’ Shrine, a significant site where pilgrims gather annually. On Tuesday, dignitaries, including President Yoweri Museveni, were attending a mass at another location near Kampala to mark Martyrs’ Day, honouring Christians persecuted in the 19th century. The timing and location of the incident raised concerns, though authorities moved swiftly to secure the area.
Police and military personnel, alongside forensic investigators, descended on the scene, cordoning off the vicinity to conduct a thorough probe. Mr Rusoke withheld further details, stating that an investigation is underway to uncover the motives and any potential links to broader networks. Local media, including The Daily Monitor and New Vision, reported the blast’s proximity to the shrine, heightening fears of a targeted attack during the national holiday.
Explosive attacks are rare in Uganda, but authorities have periodically warned of threats from extremist militants opposed to President Museveni’s government. The military has pointed to possible involvement by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a Congo-based rebel group aligned with the Islamic State, which claimed responsibility for multiple bombings in 2021. No group has yet claimed this incident, and officials remain cautious as inquiries continue.
Detectives and bomb disposal experts worked meticulously at the site, with images from the scene showing debris scattered across a road, alongside a damaged motorcycle. The rapid response by security forces likely prevented a more devastating outcome, earning praise from local residents and officials alike.
Uganda’s police and army remain on high alert, urging the public to report suspicious activity as the nation grapples with the spectre of terrorism. This incident underscores the ongoing challenges of maintaining security in the East African country, even as it marks a day of solemn remembrance.
