Uganda Army Court: Lyavala Walusansa Sentencing Postponed to 2026

• The General Court Martial in Makindye has deferred the sentencing of Hamza Lyavala and Hamid Walusansa for murder charges.
• The two former army informers pleaded guilty to their involvement in staged suicide bombings in Munyonyo and Kalerwe Market.
• The sentencing, originally scheduled for Monday, was postponed to November 4, 2026, because the court panel was not fully constituted.
• The bombings, which caused multiple deaths, were allegedly planned by Lt Col Ephraim Byaruhanga to gain attention from his superiors.
• Lyavala and Walusansa are now state witnesses in the ongoing trial of Lt Col Byaruhanga, who maintains his innocence.

The sentencing for Hamza Lyavala and Hamid Walusansa, who admitted their involvement in plots linked to fatal staged suicide bombings, has been postponed until November 4, 2026, by the General Court Martial in Makindye.

The General Court Martial in Makindye has postponed the sentencing of two former army informers, Hamza Lyavala and Hamid Walusansa, who were convicted of murder charges. Their convictions stem from their admitted involvement in staged suicide bombings that occurred in Munyonyo and Kalerwe Market, events reportedly planned ahead of Uganda Martyrs Day in June 2025. The court's decision to defer the sentencing was announced on Monday by its chairman, Brig Richard Tukacungurwa.

Brig Tukacungurwa informed the court that the panel was not fully constituted, as one of its members had experienced a double family bereavement and was unable to attend. Consequently, the sentencing for Lyavala and Walusansa, central figures in the Uganda fake bombings murder case, has been rescheduled for Wednesday, November 4, 2026. This lengthy adjournment highlights the procedural complexities that can arise within military justice in Uganda, even in high-profile cases.

The staged bombings, to which Lyavala and Walusansa pleaded guilty, resulted in multiple fatalities. In Munyonyo, one suicide bomber and a boda boda rider were killed, while another woman carrying a bomb died at Kalerwe Market. The prosecution alleges that these plots were orchestrated by Lt Col Ephraim Byaruhanga, the former head of special operations at the Defence Intelligence and Security (IDS), previously known as CMI.

According to the army prosecution, approximately three weeks before the Munyonyo attack, Lt Col Byaruhanga, who was reportedly dissatisfied with his superiors, met with Lyavala and Walusansa. This meeting took place at Gowers Hotel in Namulanda, located along Entebbe Road, where the plan to stage the fake bombings was allegedly devised. The prosecution further claims that Byaruhanga's motive was to instill public fear and thereby compel his superiors to acknowledge and trust the intelligence he provided.

While Hamza Lyavala and Hamid Walusansa confessed to their roles in the deadly plots, Lt Col Ephraim Byaruhanga has consistently maintained his innocence regarding the charges. Following their guilty pleas, Lyavala and Walusansa have been designated as state witnesses, providing testimony against Byaruhanga in connection with the two bombing incidents. The trial of Lt Col Byaruhanga is currently ongoing before the General Court Martial in Makindye.

This case, involving the Uganda Army Court Lyavala Walusansa sentencing and the broader Lt Col Ephraim Byaruhanga trial, underscores the intricate nature of military justice proceedings. The significant deferral period for sentencing, extending over two years, illustrates the potential for protracted timelines in such legal matters, particularly when involving multiple defendants and state witnesses within the military judicial system.

This case illustrates the procedural realities and potential delays within Uganda's General Court Martial, particularly in high-profile criminal matters involving military personnel and state witnesses. Lawyers practicing criminal defense or military law in Uganda should note such procedural adjournments and the ongoing nature of related proceedings when advising clients.

Source: Original reporting via Nile Post.