KAMPALA, Uganda — Two people were killed Tuesday in Uganda’s capital before they could carry out a suspected bomb attack near a major Catholic shrine, according to military officials. The explosion occurred just hours before crowds gathered to mark Martyrs’ Day, a national religious holiday that draws thousands of pilgrims to the Kampala area.
Uganda’s military said in a statement that security forces “intercepted and neutralized two armed terrorists” traveling on a passenger motorcycle in Munyonyo, a suburb south of central Kampala. The suspects—a man and a woman—were reportedly under surveillance by security forces tracking potential threats linked to the holiday.
Police spokesman Kituuma Rusoke said the woman appeared to detonate an explosive device as security personnel approached the motorcycle. Both suspects died at the scene, Rusoke confirmed, but he declined to share further details, citing an ongoing investigation.
The blast occurred not far from the Namugongo Catholic Shrine, where thousands had gathered for Mass to honor Christian converts executed in the late 19th century under the orders of King Mwanga II. Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and other dignitaries attended the ceremony under heightened security.
Martyrs’ Day is one of the most significant religious observances in Uganda, commemorating the deaths of Christian martyrs killed between 1885 and 1887 for refusing to renounce their faith. The event routinely draws pilgrims from across East Africa and abroad.
Tuesday’s attempted attack cast a shadow over the celebrations, though authorities maintained tight security at major worship sites, and events proceeded without further incident. It was not immediately clear if the suspects were targeting the shrine or another location.
Explosive attacks in Uganda are rare, but the country has faced intermittent threats from extremist groups opposed to Museveni’s administration. The Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a rebel group with suspected ties to the Islamic State, has carried out attacks in the past, including a deadly bombing spree in 2021 that killed several people in Kampala.
Authorities have occasionally issued warnings around national holidays and high-profile events, citing intelligence reports of possible plots by armed extremists. However, security officials say most threats are disrupted before they can be executed.
The premature explosion in Munyonyo is the latest reminder of the security challenges Uganda faces, even during peaceful religious observances. Investigators are expected to release more information once forensic teams complete their assessment of the blast site.
