The General Court Martial in Makindye, presided over by Brigadier Richard Tukacungurwa, has commenced hearing testimony in the case relating to the June 3, 2025, bomb explosion near Munyonyo Minor Basilica that killed Sumaya Byaruhanga and an unidentified boda boda rider.
The first witness, Hamza Lyavaala, told court that on June 2, 2025, a group travelled to Goers Gardens in Namulanda along Entebbe Road to meet Lt. Col. Byaruhanga before being transported to the scene ahead of the Martyrs Day celebrations.
Lyavaala testified that upon reaching Munyonyo Church, Lt. Col. Byaruhanga left them in a vehicle and proceeded to meet police officers at the scene.
The explosion occurred near Munyonyo Catholic Church during the Martyrs Day period, claiming the lives of Sumaya Byaruhanga and a boda boda rider whose identity had not been established in the information presented before court.
In further testimony, Lyavaala described events surrounding an operation in Kalerwe, where he said he encountered Joint Anti-Terrorism Task Force (JATT) personnel dressed in civilian clothes and carrying pistols.
He told court that the personnel later proceeded to a Shell fuel station in Busega, where, at about 6:30 a.m., a woman identified as Sawuya Azatu arrived following a telephone call from a man identified as Kasimu.
According to Lyavaala, he pointed out Azatu to the JATT personnel before she boarded another motorcycle, which was reportedly followed by a drone.
The witness said that by the time he reached Kalerwe Market, the woman had already been shot dead. He testified that he learnt of her death after hearing people at the scene talking about a woman who had been shot.
Lyavaala and Adil Walusansa were arrested on June 21, 2025, according to the information presented in the proceedings.
The court is continuing to hear evidence to establish the sequence of events surrounding the Munyonyo explosion and the related incidents described by the witness.
By Edith Namwanje
12th Oct 2026
Ends.