Two Men Maintain Guilty Pleas in Martyrs Day Bomb Murder Case

Two former recruits of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), Hamza Lyavaala and Adil Walusansa, who were convicted of murdering two women in fake bomb incidents linked to the 2025 Martyrs Day celebrations, have reversed their earlier decision and chosen to maintain their guilty pleas.

During a session of the General Court Martial, presided over by Brig. Gen. Richard Tukacungurwa, the two men announced that they wished to uphold their guilty pleas to two counts of murder.

Initially, on October 12, 2026, they had sought to withdraw their guilty pleas and plead not guilty, reportedly upon the advice of their lawyers. However, when the court convened to deliver its ruling on their application to change their pleas, both men raised their hands and signaled their change of heart.

When asked to explain their decision, the convicts indicated they had hoped to testify against their co-accused, Lt. Col. Ephraim Byaruhanga, believing that their testimony might help them obtain lighter sentences. They argued that recounting their attempts to save the lives of the two deceased women would favorably influence their sentencing, asserting that Byaruhanga had the final authority in the operations in question.

The court reinstated their guilty pleas, convicting them for the murders of Byaruhanga Sumayiya and Sawiya Azuta, with sentencing scheduled for November 2, 2026.

Lyavaala and Walusansa were convicted based on their own admissions of guilt in connection with bomb incidents that occurred at the Munyonyo Martyrs Shrine on June 3, 2025, during the Martyrs Day celebrations, as well as an alleged foiled attack at Kalerwe Market on June 21, 2025.

They are jointly charged with Lt. Col. Byaruhanga, a former commander of special operations in CMI, who is accused of masterminding the attacks after experiencing disagreements with his superiors.

Prosecution evidence presented during the court proceedings indicated that approximately three weeks before the Martyrs Day celebrations, Byaruhanga convened a meeting at Gowers Hotel in Namulanda, where he briefed Lyavaala and Walusansa about a planned suicide mission. Court documents reveal that Byaruhanga allegedly facilitated the two men in renting a house in Kinaawa, Nateete, arranging for the transport of two women from Busoga, and linking them with Anthony Ssekalaala, who is accused of making the improvised explosive devices.