KAMPALA — A suspected bomb exploded near a Roman Catholic shrine in Kampala on Tuesday morning, killing two people just hours before thousands were expected to gather for Uganda’s Martyrs’ Day.
The explosion happened in Munyonyo, a quiet suburb in the south of the capital, not far from the Munyonyo Martyrs’ Shrine — a site that draws pilgrims every 3rd of June to honour Christians who were killed for their faith in the late 1800s.
Local media including Daily Monitor and New Vision reported that the blast killed at least two people. Independent broadcaster NBS aired footage of a damaged motorcycle lying on the roadside, surrounded by debris and what appeared to be a human body.
Ugandan military officials say the situation could have been worse.
“This morning, our counter-terrorism unit intercepted and neutralised two armed terrorists in Munyonyo,” said army spokesman Brigadier Felix Kulayigye in a statement posted on X. He described the incident as part of broader security operations aimed at keeping the celebrations safe.
Authorities have not confirmed whether the two people killed were the same ones intercepted by the army.
Police chief Abas Byakagaba told NBS that “two people were on a motorcycle and an explosion occurred.” He did not clarify their identities or fate but added, “The good thing though is that there were no people nearby who were injured.”
Access to the area around the shrine was quickly restricted following the explosion. Security personnel have since tightened patrols around the shrine and other key locations in the city.
“The security services are on heightened alert to ensure the Martyrs Day celebrations proceed without disruption,” said Brigadier Kulayigye.
Police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke did not respond to requests for further comment by press time. No group has claimed responsibility for the blast.
However, Uganda has faced threats from militant groups in recent years. In 2021, Islamic State claimed a series of bomb attacks in Kampala that killed seven people. The group has ties to the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a rebel faction that was originally founded by Ugandan Muslims in the 1990s.
The ADF began as a local insurgency in western Uganda but later moved across the border into the Democratic Republic of Congo. There, it has been blamed for widespread violence and the deaths of thousands of civilians, according to United Nations reports.
Today’s explosion cast a shadow over what is usually a solemn but celebratory day in Uganda. Thousands of faithful were expected to converge on shrines across the country, especially in Namugongo, the main site of pilgrimage.
Despite the blast, authorities say the main events will continue under tight security.
“We are not cancelling any part of the celebrations,” said a senior government official who asked not to be named. “But we are asking the public to remain calm, alert, and cooperate with security forces.”
The investigation into the explosion is ongoing.
