Ugandan security agencies have identified a young female as one of the two suicide bombers intercepted in Tuesday morning’s foiled terror attack at Munyonyo Basilica — a major pilgrimage site ahead of Uganda Martyrs Day.
The would-be attacker, described by authorities as a youthful woman, was killed after security operatives from the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) disrupted the plot in a preemptive, intelligence-led operation. Officials later revealed that she was the daughter of the suicide bomber who detonated explosives at Kampala’s Central Police Station in November 2021, linking her to Uganda’s deadliest urban terror attack in recent years.
The young woman’s age and gender have captured national attention, highlighting a worrying trend of youth radicalization, especially among women — a demographic rarely associated with such violent extremism in Uganda.
Security sources say she was wearing a suicide vest and attempting to gain access to Munyonyo Basilica, where thousands of pilgrims are currently gathering to commemorate Uganda Martyrs Day. She was intercepted before reaching the target.
“Upon being shot, the suicide vest exploded,” a source confirmed, adding that the motorcycle (boda boda) the suspects used was destroyed in the blast.
Photos released by the authorities show the young woman in what appears to be an unfinished structure, possibly her final hideout before the mission. Her recruitment and radicalization path remains under investigation, though authorities have hinted at long-standing ties to the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) — a militant group with links to ISIS.
This incident underscores the evolving face of terrorism in Uganda — younger, more indoctrinated, and now including female operatives. It also points to the sustained threat posed by the ADF’s sleeper cells and their efforts to disrupt high-profile national events.
The second suspect, a male, was also killed in the operation. Both had attempted to infiltrate the heavily secured Munyonyo area on Tuesday morning as part of the attack.
Colonel Chris Magezi, Acting Director of Defence Public Information, praised the operation:
“The UPDF counter-terrorism unit this morning intercepted and neutralized two armed terrorists in Munyonyo, an upscale city suburb. The operation was successful and timely — a demonstration of our vigilance as the country celebrates Martyrs Day.”
As security remains tight and investigations continue, the incident has reignited national dialogue around youth vulnerability to extremist ideologies, particularly among children of known militants.
Munyonyo Basilica is one of the holiest Catholic sites in Uganda, drawing pilgrims from across East Africa and beyond. The fact that such a young woman could be deployed to target this sacred celebration sends a sobering message: radical groups are evolving — and so must Uganda’s counter-extremism strategies, especially in reaching vulnerable youth.
