The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDPENDENT | A 31-year-old man, extradited from Zambia to Uganda a month ago, has appeared before the Buganda Road Chief Magistrates Court on terrorism charges. Swalleh Abubaker, also known as Mupeta, Dog City, Fujo Boxer, and Tom Kivuruge, identified by prosecutors as a businessman, appeared before Chief Magistrate Ronald Kayizzi on Monday.
He faces three charges including terrorism financing, supporting a terrorist organization, and belonging to a terrorist organization. Abubaker is charged alongside Sulaiman Nsubuga, also known as Ibrahim Nkata or Muzee Lweza, who hasn’t appeared in court due to being incarcerated on separate firearm-related charges.
According to the prosecution, Abubaker and Nsubuga, along with others still at large, between 2018 and April 2024, in diverse areas of Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, Zambia, and South Africa mobilized funds, procured digital watches, power banks, and other supplies, recruited, and transferred individuals to the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) in eastern DRC.
They allegedly knew or had reason to believe these actions would support acts of terrorism or instigate such acts. In the third count, the prosecution alleges that Abubaker and Nsubuga belonged to the ADF terrorist organization across Uganda, DRC, Tanzania, Zambia, and South Africa.
Kayizzi barred Abubaker from commenting on the charges, deeming them capital offenses under the jurisdiction of the High Court, which will also handle any bail applications. State attorneys Joan Keko and Ivan Kyazze informed the court that investigations are ongoing and requested a production warrant to bring Nsubuga to court.
As a result, Abubaker was remanded until July 16, 2024, for the case’s mention, and a production warrant was issued for Nsubuga. Abubaker is not the only individual extradited to Uganda to face terrorism charges. In 2021, former Guantanamo Bay prisoner Jamal Kiyimba was extradited from Sudan. He faces accusations of belonging to the ADF, soliciting financial support, and recruiting members, including his son, for the group. Kiyimba remains on remand at Luzira Maximum Security Prison.
Another prominent case is that of Jamil Mukulu, a suspected former leader of the ADF, extradited from Tanzania to Uganda in 2015. Mukulu is accused of leading attacks on civilians and security forces in Uganda and DRC, facing charges of murder, treason, and terrorism. He has been on remand for nearly ten years awaiting trial in Uganda’s International Crimes Division and Criminal Division of the High Court.
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