Hamza Lyavala, a former Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) member who later worked as a security informer, has accused Lt Col Ephraim Byaruhanga of organising alleged fake bomb operations at Munyonyo Martyrs Basilica and Kalerwe Market in Kampala in 2025.
Testifying before the General Court Martial in Makindye, Lyavala, 33, claimed that Byaruhanga recruited him and Hadil Walusansa to plan and execute the operations. He alleged that the former intelligence officer wanted to attract public attention and impress his superiors after disagreements with senior security officials.
Lyavala told the court that he had previously belonged to the ADF before breaking away and joining a splinter group known as the Pan Ugandan Liberation Initiative (PULI). He said he later renounced terrorism, received a government pardon and began working as a security informer under different intelligence officers before being assigned to Byaruhanga.
According to Lyavala, Byaruhanga complained that his superiors were ignoring his messages and had failed to promote him. The witness alleged that the officer subsequently pushed for operations in urban areas that would attract media coverage. He also claimed that Byaruhanga discussed involving two women, Summaya Byaruhanga and Azatu Sawuya, in proposed suicide missions.
Regarding the Munyonyo incident, Lyavala said he, Walusansa and Byaruhanga held meetings at Growers Hotel in Namulanda to discuss the alleged operation. He claimed that explosive devices were delivered and that the plan was scheduled for June 3, 2025, during Martyrs Day celebrations, when large crowds were expected at the shrine.
Lyavala further alleged that security officers were deployed around the shrine and that his role was to monitor the area and alert them when Summaya approached on a motorcycle. He told the court that Summaya later died in an explosion.
The witness said he suspected another individual had detonated the device, although this remained his account of the incident.The witness also described a second alleged operation targeting Kalerwe Market.
He said Azatu was sent to conduct reconnaissance before travelling towards the market on June 21, 2025. Lyavala claimed that security officers tracked her movements and that he later found her dead after arriving at the scene.
He further alleged that Byaruhanga ordered her killing, a claim that remains subject to the court’s assessment.The allegations form part of the case against Byaruhanga, who has denied the charges. Lyavala and Walusansa were convicted of murder on October 5 after pleading guilty to their roles in the incidents. The court will consider the witness’s testimony alongside other evidence as the proceedings continue.
