The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) have identified the woman who detonated a bomb near Munyonyo Basilica on Tuesday as Aisha Katushabe, who was also known by aliases such as Byaruhanga Sumaya and Kabonesa.
According to Col. Chris Magezi, the acting UPDF spokesperson, Katushabe was already known to security agencies and had been previously arrested in 2023 on suspicion of collaborating with the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) terrorist group.
She was wearing the explosive device when she was shot dead by counter-terrorism officers, just 600 meters away from a crowd gathered to commemorate the Ugandan Martyrs.
When she was shot, the bomb exploded, killing both herself and the boda boda rider who was transporting her.
Col. Magezi further revealed that Katushabe was the wife of Muzafaru, who was killed by the military in 2021 while planning an attack during the funeral of Gen. Paul Lokech, former Deputy Inspector General of Police.
Additionally, Aisha Katushabe was the daughter of Abdul Shaqur, who committed suicide by detonating a bomb at the CPS Police Headquarters in Kampala during the ADF bombings in 2021.
Security agencies had intercepted this attack before it happened, following the arrest of another suspect on Sunday who is believed to have provided crucial intelligence. That suspect remains in custody.
Authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant, especially in crowded areas.
