UPDF says Kalerwe Suicide Bomber was Under Surveillance for 3 Days

The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) have revealed that the female suicide bomber who was killed at Kalerwe market on Sunday had been under security surveillance for three days.

The army spokesman, Brigadier Felix Kulayigye, said that the intelligence agencies had tracked her movements and behavior, prompting a swift response to prevent a potential attack.

“Three days of constant surveillance by the intelligence. She rose up early on Sunday to complete her mission. Fortunately, we have been following her closely,” Kulayigye told reporters at army headquarters in Mbuya, Kampala, on Sunday.

Kulayigye narrated how the events unfolded leading to her killing.

He said that the bomber, who was traveling on a boda boda, was asked by security to stop at the Gayaza flyover as she headed to Kalerwe, but she ignored the order.

“They (security) followed her, and as she reached the entrance to the [Kalerwe] market, she was shot with a bullet. We picked up the bag she was carrying, and the bomb squad diffused it,” Kulayigye said.

He added that after the bomber was shot and killed, the boda boda rider jumped off the bike and took off.

The bomb, Kulayigye said, was attached to the zip of the bag, meaning that it would go off if the bag was unzipped.

In the process of neutralizing the bomber, the military mouthpiece said one person was injured.

Asked about her whereabouts, Kulayigye responded, “We got intelligence information that Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) terrorists were planning attacks on places of worship, markets, and other public places.”

He added that the intelligence agencies have the capability to follow terrorists and stop them before they carry out the attacks.

This is the second suspected suicide bomber to be killed extrajudicially in a period of three weeks. The other was shot dead on Uganda Martyrs Day, June 3, at Munyonyo Basilica, where worshippers and pilgrims had gathered to commemorate the Uganda Martyrs.

Asked why security forces opt for extrajudicial killings instead of arresting and trying suspected bombers, especially since the intelligence gets information before attackers move to the public to carry out the attacks, Kulayigye said, “Everyone has their own capabilities. As you are a professional in journalism, we are also professionals in intelligence. The fact that we stop these terrorists before they carry out the attacks shows that the intelligence is doing its work.”

The boda boda rider who was carrying the attacker, Kulayigye said, security believes he is innocent, but they are looking for him to get more information