A bombshell testimony unfolded at the General Court Martial in Makindye on Tuesday as a former Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) member turned state informer accused senior intelligence officer Lt Col Ephraim Byaruhanga of orchestrating two staged bomb operations in Kampala in June 2025.
Testifying in Luganda before the military court, 33-year-old Hamza Lyavala claimed that Lt Col Byaruhanga, formerly attached to the Directorate of Intelligence and Security (DIS), masterminded the explosions at the Munyonyo Martyrs Basilica and Kalerwe Market to draw public media attention and prove his worth to reluctant military superiors.
“Afande Byaruhanga told me that whenever he sent Maj Gen Otto a message on WhatsApp, he would blue-tick it but not respond,” Lyavala testified. “He said his superiors had refused to promote him and that he wanted to retaliate by creating an operation in an urban area to attract public attention and media coverage.”
Lyavala, who along with co-informer Hadil Walusansa was convicted of murder on October 5,2026, after pleading guilty to their roles in the incidents, told the bench that Byaruhanga grew frustrated after his boss, Maj Gen Richard Otto, allegedly ignored his WhatsApp messages.
According to Lyavala, Byaruhanga recruited him and Walusansa to coordinate with two female ADF associates—Summaya Byaruhanga and Azatu Sawuya—who were allegedly willing to undertake martyrdom missions. Summaya sought revenge for her husband, Muzamiru, who was killed in a Kiboga shootout with security forces.
Lyavala detailed how improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were sourced from Anthony Ssekalala, an ADF courier based in Tanzania linked to ADF coordinator Meddie Nkalubo, during planning meetings at Growers Hotel in Namulanda.
On Martyrs Day, June 3, 2025, Byaruhanga allegedly drove the team to Munyonyo Martyrs Basilica, setting up a Joint Anti-Terrorism Task Force (JATT) ambush. Under the arrangement, Summaya approached the shrine on a boda boda carrying an explosive device.
Lyavala testified that while Byaruhanga alerted his superiors of an “imminent suicide attack,” he suspects the explosive was remotely detonated by Ssekalala via telephone rather than by Summaya herself. Summaya died instantly in the blast.
ALSO READ:
- Court Martial Convicts Wakiso Taxi Driver Over UPDF Attire
- Court Martial Sentences Two State Informers to Death
- Renegade Lt. Gen. Peter Elwelu Apprehended in Soroti City Over Subversive Activities
- Abraham Luzzi Slasts UEDCL After Blackout Interrupts Birthday Party
- Celebrated Comedian Kapere Passes Away
Following the Munyonyo incident, a second operation was staged on June 21, 2025, targeting Kalerwe Market after initial reconnaissance at St Balikuddembe (Owino) Market.
Lyavala testified that Azatu Sawuya was tracked via drones and JATT motorcycle units from Busega to Kalerwe Market. Upon arrival, security officers cordoned off the market area and shot Azatu dead before detonating the explosive device she carried.
Lyavala alleged that when Walusansa questioned why Azatu had been shot on sight instead of being arrested for questioning, Lt Col Byaruhanga responded that “terrorists deserve to be killed.”
Intelligence Leadership & Defector Networks
Lyavala’s testimony provided a rare glimpse into the complex web of defector networks and intelligence supervision in Kampala:
Pan Ugandan Liberation Initiative (PULI): Lyavala broke away from the main ADF after it pledged allegiance to ISIS, forming a splinter group under Isaac Thomas (son of jailed ADF leader Jamilu Mukulu).
State Presidential Amnesty: Lyavala renounced terrorism, met Minister Minsa Kabanda and President Yoweri Museveni, and was granted an official presidential pardon.
Handler Transitions: He served as an operative reporting sequentially to Maj Gen Abel Kandiho, Maj Gen James Birungi, and Maj Gen Richard Otto, before being assigned directly to Lt Col Byaruhanga as his operational handler.
Lt Col Ephraim Byaruhanga has firmly denied all charges of murder and staging terror operations. The General Court Martial continues to hear prosecution witnesses.
Discover more from SANTA MEDIA UGANDA
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
