COURT (UGNEWSLINE) – The General Court Martial in Makindye has sentenced two former Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) recruits to death for their involvement in bomb attacks that led to the deaths of two women in Kampala in June 2025.
The convicts, Hamza Lyavaala and Hadil Walusansa, were found to have planned and facilitated the suicide missions involving Sumayiya Byaruhanga and Sawiya Azatu.
Byaruhanga died when explosives she was carrying detonated at Munyonyo Martyrs Shrine during the Martyrs’ Day celebrations on June 3, 2025, while Azatu was shot dead by Joint Anti-Terrorism Taskforce (JATT) officers at Kalerwe Market on June 21, 2025.
In its decision, the court, chaired by Brigadier Richard Tukacungura, considered the loss of innocent lives and the fear caused among members of the public by the attacks.
The court also noted that the convicts had transported the two women from Busoga, arranged accommodation for them and supplied them with explosives to carry out the missions.
It ruled that their actions demonstrated that they posed a permanent threat to society, warranting the death sentence.
Lyavaala and Walusansa had pleaded guilty to the charges and later testified against their co-accused, former CMI Deputy Head of Operations, Lieutenant Colonel Ephraim Byaruhanga.
The two accused Byaruhanga of financing the operations, alleging that the plan involved planting fake bombs to influence the government to increase funding for military operations and attract the attention of his superiors.
During the sentencing proceedings, the convicts asked the court for leniency, saying they regretted their actions, had family responsibilities and were first-time offenders who could be rehabilitated.
They also told the court that they had risked their lives by providing counter-terrorism intelligence.
However, the court ruled that sentencing should not only focus on rehabilitation but also serve the ends of justice.
The two convicts were informed of their right to appeal against the sentences if they are dissatisfied with the decision.
