KAMPALA, UGANDA – Fifteen years after the devastating 2010 Kampala twin bombings, a local businessman, Thomas Mugalu (name changed for safety), has come forward with a shocking account, alleging that a senior police operative was informed of the impending attacks but seemingly facilitated them instead of intervening. Mugalu’s testimony paints a grim picture of betrayal and a life irrevocably shattered.
The bombings, which occurred on July 11, 2010, during the screening of the FIFA World Cup Final, claimed nearly 100 lives at two separate locations in the capital. Seven individuals, including Ahmed Issa Luyima, were later convicted for their roles in the attacks, which were attributed to the al-Shabab extremist group.
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According to Mugalu, proprietor of the now-shuttered Mirembe Bar and Restaurant, the nightmare began in late June 2010 when a regular patron, Ahmed, sought his help in acquiring unregistered SIM cards and “burner” phones. Mugalu, unaware of the sinister motive, connected Ahmed with a phone accessories dealer named Godfrey.
Days later, Godfrey reportedly returned with alarming news: Ahmed and his associates intended to use the devices to detonate bombs and target Ugandans watching the World Cup. Struck by a sense of patriotic duty, Mugalu, despite initial reluctance, decided to report the intelligence to authorities.
He contacted Ismael (name changed), a Uganda Police Force operative stationed at the Rapid Response Unit (RRU) in Kireka. Together, they attempted to relay the information to Ismael’s superior, Mr. David Magala. However, with Magala absent, Ismael confided in Nixon Karuhanga Agasiirwe, a senior operative at the base.
Mugalu alleges that upon hearing the details, Agasiirwe dismissed Ismael from the office and proceeded to extract a full confession from Mugalu, including details of Ahmed’s shop at Pioneer Mall and his residence in Namasuba. Instead of initiating an immediate intervention, Mugalu claims Agasiirwe ordered him to convince Godfrey to proceed with the sale of the devices to Ahmed.
“Do what I tell you or face the consequences,” Mugalu tearfully recalls Agasiirwe allegedly stating, coupled with a chilling threat: “If this mission goes through, trust me, I will become the head of this Uganda police and I will remember you.” Mugalu states he was then given UGX 2 million and instructed not to discuss the matter with anyone, including Ismael.
Terrified, Mugalu complied, convincing Godfrey to sell the items to Ahmed while praying for a police intervention that never came. Within two weeks, his worst fears were realized as the bombs exploded across Kampala.
A Life in Ruins
In the aftermath of the bombings, Agasiirwe was reportedly among the most active police officers in apprehending suspects, including Ahmed Issa Luyima. However, Mugalu’s account suggests a disturbing pre-knowledge of the attacks.
Under Ugandan law, failing to report a known crime is an offense. Legal experts indicate that a police officer concealing such intelligence could face charges ranging from obstruction of justice to aiding terrorism. Despite widespread speculation about official foreknowledge of the attacks, no action has been taken against Agasiirwe regarding the 2010 bombings. He has since faced other legal challenges, including charges related to unlawful detentions and torture, but the events surrounding the 2010 attacks remain uninvestigated.
For Thomas Mugalu, life has been a relentless descent since that fateful encounter. His thriving bar business collapsed, and he was forced to flee the country for his safety, eventually returning to face an arrest on unclear charges and a three-month detention before being released without charge.
Now, frail and living a reclusive life, Mugalu grapples with the devastating consequences of his decision to speak out. “Sometimes I wonder, if I had stayed quiet, would people still have died?” he pondered. “But I spoke up. And instead of stopping it, they used me to cover it up.” After 15 years, Mugalu has chosen to break his silence, seeking truth and, perhaps, justice.
