Aisha Katushabe alias Kabonesa

The Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) have identified the female suicide bomber neutralised in early June 2025 by counter-terrorism forces in Munyonyo, Kampala, as Aisha Katushabe.

Acting army spokesperson Colonel Chris Magezi stated that Katushabe used several other pseudonyms, including Byaruhanga Sumaya and Kabonesa. Katushabe, who was travelling by boda-boda (taxi-motorcycle), was neutralised by counter-terrorism forces just 600 metres from the Uganda Martyrs Catholic Shrine in Munyonyo, where pilgrims and the faithful were gathering to commemorate the Uganda Martyrs.

In 2021, three people—including two women and a man, among them Aisha Katushabe—were arrested and questioned for their involvement in the Kampala attacks.

Police spokesperson Fred Enanga identified the suspects as Abdurahim Waibi, Sanyu Nakitende and a certain Aisha Katushabe. These individuals are believed to be members of sleeper cells run by the Ugandan terrorist group ADF, based in the DRC. Enanga stated that Waibi and Nakitende received up to $140,000 from the DRC to distribute to ADF operatives in Uganda. Among the beneficiaries, Katushabe, he noted, was tracked down and arrested in Hoima district.