The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has identified the suicide bomber who was neutralized by the counter terrorism forces in Munyonyo, Kampala on Tuesday as Aisha Katushabe.

The acting army spokesman, Col Chris Magezi said that Katushabe had several other aliases, including; Byaruhanga Sumaya and Kabonesa.

Katushabe who was traveling on a bodaboda, was put out of action by the counter terrorism forces just 600 meters to the Uganda Martyrs Basilica Munyonyo where pilgrims and worshippers were gathering to celebrate the Uganda Martyrs. 

She was wearing a suicide vest which exploded after she was neutralised, shattering the rider and the bodaboda itself. 

Magezi said Katushabe was known to security and intelligence agencies, adding that she has been in their custody before.

“This lady, the suicide bomber has been in our custody before, in 2023, it was October, and we interrogated her because she had links with the ADF (Allied Democratic Forces),” said Magezi.

”She was known as Aisha Katushabe also known as Byaruhanga Sumaya, also known as Kabonesa in her 20s,” Magezi said.

He added that according to the intelligence, Katushabe’s husband known as Muzafaru was killed by Uganda’s counter terrorism forces in 2021.

Magzi revealed that Muzafaru was part of the ADF terrorists that were plotting to bomb the funeral of the former Deputy Inspector General of Police, the late Lt Gen Paul Lokech.

Interestingly, Katushabe was also a daughter to Abdul Shaqur, the suicide bomber who blew himself up at the Central Police Station (CPS)
in Kampala during the coordinated ADF attacks in Uganda’s capital in 2021.

In relation to the plot at Munyonyo on Tuesday, Magezi said intelligence was aware that the ADF was planning an attack on the worshippers.

The army mouthpiece said that the plot was foiled following an arrest made two days earlier. The arrested suspect, he said, gave vital information to security.

The suspect is still in custody being interrogated.