Suicide attack in Kampala: Terrorists eliminated during Martyrertag!

Suicide attack in Kampala: Terrorists eliminated during Martyrertag!

A female suicide bomber and another suspected rebel were killed on June 3, 2025 at an explosion in Kampala, the capital of Uganda. The incident occurred in the wealthy suburb of Munyonyo, near the Roman Catholic Munyonyo Martyrs ’Shrine, where believers had gathered to celebrate the martyrdom, one of the most important religious holidays in the country. Fortunately, the civilian population remained intact during these celebrations, which many pilgrims attract every year, the authorities reported.

The explosion occurred when the two suspects were on a motorcycle. Military spokesman Chris Magezi announced that a special unit neutralized the two "armed terrorists". Video recordings of the crime scene showed a destroyed motorcycle and debris on the street. While the incident took place near a human accumulation, no civilian injuries were reported, which was rated positively locally. According to the chief of police Abas Byakagaba, the explosion passed without further victims.

connection to the Allied democratic forces

The people killed are associated with the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a rebel group that has been active in the region since the 1990s and has now had an affiliation to the Islamic State (IS). The ADF is responsible for numerous fatal attacks and is charged by the United Nations for serious human rights violations, including the killing of thousands of civilians. As early as 2021, the group was held responsible for several bombings in Uganda.

Last year, the Ugandian army warned that the ADF plans to carry out attacks on places of the service, public events and schools. These threats are increasingly assuming a serious character, which meant that the security forces have strengthened their patrols in the capital. The army spokesman pointed out that despite the current incident, the ADF did not take responsibility for the attack.

context of the terrorist threat in Uganda

The ADF, which acts in the context of a regional security crisis, has changed its strategy by targeting the tourism sector. The latest incidents, such as the murder of two foreign tourists in Queen Elizabeth National Park, prove this. Historically, there were attacks that focused on Western tourists, and in recent years the terrorist acts have increasingly intensified.

The ADF emerged from a merger of earlier rebel groups and received recognition by the Islamic State as its province in 2019. This development indicates the radicalization of the group, which continues with its activities even after a military intervention in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The conflict led to the emigration of millions of people and complicated the situation on the border between Uganda and the DRC.

The international community is asked to focus more on the security situation in the region and to promote a dialogue between Uganda, Rwanda and the DRC in order to combat the growing threat from extremist groups such as the ADF and their connections to the Islamic State.