Major Terror Attack Foiled During Uganda’s Martyrs’ Day Pilgrimage

Uganda, 5 June 2025: On 3 June, over a million pilgrims gathered at Namugongo Shrine to mark Uganda’s Martyrs’ Day, commemorating St. Charles Lwanga and his companions who were martyred for their Christian faith. Amidst the solemn celebrations, security forces foiled a potential terror attack near Munyonyo, averting what could have been a major tragedy.

According to Ugandan media reports, the country’s counter-terrorism unit intercepted and neutralised two suspected terrorists in Kampala’s Munyonyo area. The explosion killed both suspects, including a female suicide bomber, who were allegedly en route to target the pilgrimage site. No other injuries or fatalities were reported.

Authorities believe the assailants were linked to the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a Congo-based rebel group associated with the Islamic State (IS) terrorist organisation.

Ugandan army spokesperson Chris Magezi announced on X (formerly Twitter) that a counter-terrorism team had “intercepted and neutralised two armed terrorists in Munyonyo.” He added that one of the suspects was a female suicide bomber “laden with powerful explosives.”

Many Ugandans took to social media, crediting divine intervention through the intercession of the Uganda Martyrs for the foiled attack, reaffirming their faith in God’s protection.

The Munyonyo shrine marks the site where the Uganda Martyrs were first sentenced to death, and where several were killed. Namugongo, located about 50 kilometres away, was the site of their final execution.

Courtesy: Reuters