On the morning of Tuesday, June 3, 2025, a Kampala bomb blast claimed the lives of two suspected rebels, including a female suicide bomber, near the Munyonyo Martyrs’ Shrine in Uganda’s capital. The attack occurred as crowds gathered to commemorate Martyrs’ Day, a national holiday honoring Christians executed for their faith in the 19th century.
Explosion Near Religious Landmark
The explosion occurred in the Munyonyo suburb, an upscale area in southern Kampala, and did not cause additional civilian casualties, according to Ugandan authorities. The shrine is a prominent religious site, and its annual Martyrs’ Day celebrations attract thousands of worshippers.
News outlets confirmed that the blast killed two individuals believed to be behind the attack. Videos aired by NBS Television showed debris scattered across a road and what appeared to be a damaged motorcycle and a human body.
Suspects Linked to ADF
According to Ugandan army spokesperson Chris Magezi, the suspects are believed to have ties to the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a Congo-based rebel group allied with the Islamic State (IS). Magezi shared on X (formerly Twitter) that a counter-terrorism unit intercepted the suspects before they could reach a larger crowd.
“One of the individuals was a female suicide bomber laden with powerful explosives,” Magezi said.
The ADF, originally founded by Ugandan extremists in the 1990s, has since relocated its operations to eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. It has been accused of carrying out numerous deadly attacks in the region and was responsible for multiple bombings in Uganda in 2021.
Police and Security Response
Ugandan police chief Abas Byakagaba, speaking to NBS, confirmed that the explosion involved two people on a motorcycle. However, he did not clarify what happened to the assailants post-blast.
“The good thing though is that there were no people nearby who were injured,” he noted.
Police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke had not issued a formal statement at the time of publication. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the bombing.
National Security on High Alert
The incident has raised renewed concerns about security during public gatherings in Uganda. The government had heightened security in Kampala ahead of the Martyrs’ Day celebrations, anticipating large crowds.
The failed attack underscores the continued threat posed by ADF operatives and their evolving tactics, including the use of suicide bombers in urban areas.
About Martyrs’ Day in Uganda
Martyrs’ Day is observed annually on June 3 and honors 45 Christian converts executed between 1885 and 1887 under the orders of King Mwanga II of Buganda. The event holds immense religious significance and is attended by local and international pilgrims, especially at sites like Munyonyo and Namugongo.
Lugazi Diocese Pilgrims Arrive in Namugongo for Martyrs’ Day
Investigation Underway
Security agencies have launched a full investigation into the Kampala bomb blast and are working to uncover the network supporting the attackers. Forensic teams have secured the site, and preliminary findings are expected to be released in the coming days.
