By The female suicide bomber killed in Tuesday morning’s foiled terror attack near Munyonyo Martyrs Shrine has been identified as Aisha Katushabe, a woman with deep similarity and operational links to the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) terrorist group.
According to the UPDF Acting Director Defence Public Information Col. Chris Magezi, Aisha Katushabe was riding on a boda boda carrying an explosive device in a backpack, just 600 meters from Munyonyo Basilica a major gathering site for Uganda Martyrs Day celebrations. She detonated the bomb after being intercepted by a Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) counter-terrorism unit, killing herself and the motorcycle rider instantly.
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Col. Chris Magezi confirmed the identity of the bomber, linking her to a long-standing ADF network. Aisha katushabe was the daughter of Abudu Shakur, the suicide bomber who blew himself up at the Central Police Station (CPS) in Kampala in November 2021 one of the deadliest terror attacks in Uganda’s recent history.
Her husband, identified by only one name Muzaffar, another high-profile ADF fighter, was killed by security forces the same year during a botched attempt by militants to attack mourners at the funeral of former Deputy IGP Lt. Gen. Paul Lokech.
“Aisha Katushabe was no stranger to the authorities,” said Col. Magezi. “She had previously been arrested in October 2023 due to suspected ties to ADF, but we did not have enough evidence to hold her. Today’s events tragically confirm what our intelligence had long suggested she was a committed and dangerous operative.”
The UPDF revealed that the interception was made possible thanks to a separate arrest over the weekend. A man found in possession of laptops and live ammunition confessed under interrogation that a plot was underway targeting Martyrs Day celebrations. His information was used to direct ground surveillance, ultimately leading to the foiling of the suicide mission.
Security have also confirmed that the motorcycle used in the attempt was registered under the name Musana Yusuf, but investigations are ongoing to determine whether he was the actual rider or if the identity was stolen.
The failed attack occurred as millions of Ugandans gathered at Namugongo and Munyonyo shrines to commemorate the Uganda Martyrs. No civilians or pilgrims were injured, and events continued peacefully under heavy security, with President Museveni in attendance.
Col. Magezi praised the vigilance of security forces and cooperation from the public, noting that disaster was averted only because of timely intelligence and rapid deployment.
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“This is a stark reminder of the danger still posed by terrorist networks like the ADF,” Magezi said. “But it is also a testament to how far we’ve come in countering their threat. Let us all remain vigilant and united in the fight against extremism.”
Martyrs Day, observed every June 3, commemorates the execution of Christian converts in the late 19th century and has grown into one of the largest religious gatherings in East Africa.
