A frightening scene unfolded at Kalerwe market on Sunday morning, sparking panic among vendors, motorists, residents, and churchgoers after security operatives shot dead a suspected female suicide bomber.
Several vendors have since shared chilling accounts of the moments before and after the explosion threat, detailing how the incident disrupted their livelihoods and plunged the bustling market into chaos.
Security agencies sealed off multiple access roads around the market following the operation, which involved a reported chase and confrontation with the suspect believed to be affiliated with the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF). The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) later confirmed that the woman, who was carrying an improvised explosive device (IED), was shot dead as she attempted to enter the market.
Army spokesperson Gen Felix Kulayigye revealed that the suspect had been trailed by security personnel for three days prior to the incident.
“We had intelligence that she was planning to bomb Kalerwe market. When our team stopped her outside the market and she refused to comply, they opened fire, killing her instantly,” Kulayigye said.
He added that the suspect had boarded a boda boda at Busega. The rider is currently being sought by security forces. One person was reportedly injured during the operation. Mustafa Lukenge, a vendor at the market, recounted how the day began with rumours of terror threats that few took seriously.
“We had heard people say terrorists were targeting some markets, including ours, but we didn’t believe it. Then, around 6:00 am, bullets started flying. People ran, shouting ‘bomb! bomb! terrorists!’ It was chaos,” Lukenge told URN.
In the ensuing stampede, vendors and customers fled in different directions, knocking over stalls and merchandise. Ibrahim Katende, a matooke vendor, said the situation disrupted their entire day.
Kampala Metropolitan North regional police commander, Moses Nanoka, who visited the market after the incident, urged vendors to remain alert and cautious.
“Let’s stay vigilant. If someone comes with a bag and asks you to keep it, don’t accept. Observe people’s behaviour, how they approach you, and their tone,” Nanoka advised.
The incident comes just days after another female suspected suicide bomber was shot near the Uganda Martyrs Basilica in Munyonyo on June 3, further raising concerns over potential coordinated attacks by the ADF.
I still do not buy the story of suicide bombers, if they had intelligence why did they wait until she got the crowded place, these are well orchestrated ploy to bring Military to street
So WHEN are they declaring that they have banned public gatherings?
I have a clown convention I have to attend…
Usual scripted comedy. Ahead of 2026 elections. Public gatherings will be banned for the opposition but you will see NRM being accompanied by security and free to gather even in thousands. NRM will even do the impossible to stay in power without any shame and irrespective of how many people die. I thought ADF was finished, surely they must be very strong and well organized. This ADF story should end.
Dude, if I was the ADF leader with my aim of toppling the NRM government, would this be the right time to deploy terror ?
The public sentiment is that NRM has not done enough; youth unemployment, broken down institutions, poor service delivery, nepotism(that is silly- making a man who failed PLE twice a General in the national army) and theft of public funds.
It stands to reason that as an ADF leader, the populace would vote NRM out of power so why should I deploy bombs now ?
(Kye wayagaliza embazi mbuyaga atutte- the tree you wanted to chop down has been felled by strong winds).
Not that even if bombs are unleashed, the citizens of this “Clowntry” cannot force the NRM out of power…so who stands to benefit ?
2. Last time they said they shot the suicide bomber, Martyrs day incident, the video circulating then was of a passenger on a boda who got blown up…why should we believe them now ?
3. According to this article, to me as a clown, the information of a bomb was leaked in the early morning of Sunday(read the article again)…why would a suicide bomber allow that information to leak ?
4. There were shots fired then chaos, don’t you think someone could have planted that bag in the chaos ?(Read the article again)
5. This issue of women, I believe some guys are getting back at their promiscuous lovers- gives her a bag to deliver then “tips” off security (A good but deadly way of dumping a lover)
6. I was on X and someone remarked that the dead body appeared not to have blood(hinting at poor feeding by the ADF).
Remember; Kaweesi and Katumba Wamala- blood was all over the place…was the body just dumped there ?
(Please read this article again and have a look at the pictures on X)
The retired General Rwashande story and the Agasirwe revelations have completely shattered my faith in these security people.
How many Rwashande’s and Agasirwe’s are in command right now ?
These are all borrowed from movies; Raicin poison from Breaking Bad, and other things from other American series- just go watch these series.
Generals who failed PLE twice…
Having had a taste of “the lwemiyaga circus- Sekikubo vs Rwashande(imagine retired military officer but failed just PLE and has had command all those years…)” on academic papers, I cannot and cannot be expected to take Uganda’s security outfit seriously…I feel sorry for the women though…
These guys who have failed to prevent market fires are the ones preventing terrorism…I am very skeptical…
So now it is women
Just tell a woman that you no longer love her, you do not have to go to elaborate lengths to dump her…as a clown, that is my view…
These guys have ALOT of money to spend…
Each of you is entitled your an opinion. But I would say this to you. If you have no knowledge of how intelligence is gathered, and what entails tracking and trailing suspects, I would advise you to be cautious with your comments.
Many of you have no idea where we came from, where we are, and where we are headed. You only know about having eaten or not having eaten.
https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/two-army-spies-arrested-over-botched-bomb-attacks-5094232
Chew on this “John”.
From the Clown…
(If you take a clown seriously then you need to be admitted to Butabika…)