Two men convicted of murdering two women in staged bomb incidents linked to the 2025 Martyrs Day celebrations have decided to maintain their guilty pleas before the General Court Martial in Makindye.
Hamza Lyavaala and Adil Walusansa, who became state informers shortly after leaving the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebel group, told the court on Monday that they had changed their minds about withdrawing their guilty pleas.
The two had applied on October 12, 2026, to withdraw their pleas and deny the murder charges. However, as the court prepared to determine whether a person can change a plea after conviction but before sentencing, the two informed the panel, chaired by Brigadier Richard Tukacungurwa, that they wanted to maintain their guilty pleas.
Lyavaala and Walusansa told the court that they had initially sought to withdraw their pleas so they could testify against their co-accused, Lt. Col. Ephraim Byaruhanga, in the hope of receiving lighter sentences. They said they believed explaining how they had attempted to save the victims would help their case during sentencing. They also maintained that Byaruhanga had the final say in the alleged operations.
Following their decision, the court reinstated their guilty pleas and convictions for the murders of Byaruhanga Sumayiya and Sawiya Azuta. Sentencing has been scheduled for November 2, 2026. The case stems from two incidents in June 2025. The first occurred at Munyonyo Martyrs Shrine on June 3, during the Martyrs Day celebrations, while the second involved an alleged planned bomb attack at Kalerwe Market on June 21, 2025.
Lyavaala and Walusansa are jointly charged with Lt. Col. Byaruhanga, a former commander of special operations in the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI). Prosecutors accuse Byaruhanga of organising the operations following disagreements with his superiors.
Prosecution evidence indicates that Byaruhanga met the two men at Gowers Hotel in Namulanda about three weeks before Martyrs’ Day, where he allegedly briefed them about a planned suicide mission. He is also accused of helping them rent a house in Kinaawa, Nateete, arranging transport for two women from Busoga and connecting them with Anthony Ssekalaala, who is accused of making the improvised explosive devices.
Prosecutors further allege that Byaruhanga later drove Lyavaala and Walusansa to Munyonyo and claimed to have coordinated with officers from the Joint Anti-Terrorism Taskforce (JATT). According to evidence presented in court, Sumayiya died at Munyonyo after detonating an explosive device.
Azuta was reportedly intercepted on June 21, 2025, after Byaruhanga allegedly alerted JATT operatives that she was carrying two bombs intended for Kalerwe Market. The prosecution maintains that the incidents were staged to create fear among the public and the state. The court is expected to sentence Lyavaala and Walusansa on November 2, 2026-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
