Hamza Lyavaala and Hadil Walusansa were condemned to death after the court found that they had premeditated, planned and facilitated the suicide missions that resulted in the deaths of Sumayiya Byaruhanga and Sawiya Azatu.
The court, chaired by Brig. Gen. Richard Tukacungura, considered the gravity of the offences, noting that innocent lives had been lost and the attacks had thrown the public into panic.
Prosecution evidence indicated that the two convicts transported the women from Busoga, arranged accommodation for them and supplied them with explosives to carry out the operations.
Byaruhanga died when an explosive device detonated at the Munyonyo Martyrs Shrine during the Martyrs’ Day celebrations on June 3, 2025. Azatu was shot dead by Joint Anti-Terrorism Taskforce (JATT) officers at Kalerwe Market on June 21, 2025.
In determining the sentence, the court ruled that the convicts posed a permanent threat to society and deserved the ultimate punishment.
Lyavaala and Walusansa had pleaded guilty to the charges and subsequently testified against their co-accused, former Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) Deputy Head of Operations, Lt. Col. Ephraim Byaruhanga.
The duo implicated Byaruhanga in financing the operations, alleging that the planned bomb incidents were intended to create an impression of heightened security threats to influence government into releasing more operational funds and attract the attention of his superiors.
During mitigation, the two convicts asked the court for leniency, saying they were remorseful, had family responsibilities and were first-time offenders who could be rehabilitated.
They also told the court that they had put their lives at risk by providing counter-terrorism intelligence.
However, the court maintained that sentencing was not solely intended to rehabilitate offenders but also to ensure justice was served, taking into account the seriousness of the crimes and their impact on society.
The court informed Lyavaala and Walusansa of their right to appeal against the sentences if dissatisfied with the decision.
