Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has explained circumstances under which another suspected female suicide bomber had been killed at Kalerwe market in Kampala.
According to the UPDF spokesperson, Maj Gen Felix Kulayigye, the suspect wanted to blow the crowded Kalerwe market using an explosive before being nipped in the bud.
Kulayigye said the suspect was followed for three days by security before being neutralised by operatives in plain clothes.
He added that local authorities had earlier reported the suspicious woman to security.
“The leaders said they had always seen an unidentified lady come sit near the flyover spending days. They reported to security agencies. On the last day, she entered the market, bought something and left,” Maj Gen Kulayigye said, applauding the leaders of Kalerwe market.
“She arrived at the market at around 6am to fulfill her mission before being neutralised. The good thing we had been following her and as she approached the flyover, she was stopped and refused. As she approached the market’s gate, she was neutralised. The bag she had was examined by the bomb squad, disrupted and later safely detonated,” he said.
“The explosive was connected to her bag’s zip that when one opens it, it explodes.”
He urged Ugandans to always be vigilant and report suspicious persons and activities.
“When you see something or someone unusual, take interest and report to security agencies since the first line of intelligence are the citizens.”
Kulayigye said the suspect travelled on a motorcycle from Busega to Kalerwe and that on killing her, the boda boda rider took off.
“We have evidence to show the boda boda rider is innocent but we are still looking for him to give us more information.”
The UPDF spokesperson said one vendor at the market was injured during the incident and is currently nursing gunshot wounds.
This is the second female suspected suicide bomber to be killed in less than a month after one killed on Martyrs day in Munyonyo together with her colleague.
