Court Martial Sentences Two to Death Over Staged Suicide Bombings

The General Court Martial in Makindye has sentenced two state informers to death for murder over staged suicide bombing operations in Munyonyo and at Kalerwe Market, which resulted in the deaths of two people ahead of Uganda Martyrs Day celebrations in June 2025.

Hamza Lyavala and Hamid Walusansa were convicted after pleading guilty to their roles in the plots, which involved delivering explosives to two victims who were used in the staged suicide missions.

Prosecution told the court that the operations were planned ahead of the June 3, 2025, Uganda Martyrs Day celebrations. Today, the court chaired by Brig. Richard Tukacungurwa, described the offences as among the rarest of the rare cases warranting the imposition of the death penalty as a deterrent.

“The two convicts intentionally delivered the bombs to the two victims. They directly participated in the fake suicide missions and, after the first one, willingly accepted to participate in the second one at Kalerwe Market. The death sentence is therefore justified,” Tukacungurwa said.

The court subsequently sentenced both convicts to death for the two murder offences. “This court therefore sentences you, Lyavaala Hamuza and Hamid Walusansa, to suffer death for the two offences of murder,” Tukacungurwa ruled. The court martial chairman, however, informed the convicts that they had the right to appeal against their sentences.