Investigations into Kampala bombings in advanced stage: Prosecution

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Investigations into the case against 18 people arrested in connection with the twin bombings at the IPS building and Kampala Central Police Station are in the final stages.

This was revealed on Thursday by State Attorney Patricia Cingtho when the case came up before Buganda Road Court Grade One Magistrate Fidelis Otawo.

The accused persons are mobile money operators Yusuf Muwonge alias Hamza Ssemaganda alias Robert Danze and Shamirah Naddamba, Ismail Kiyemba, a welder, Muniru Bogere, a boda boda rider, Eron Nanfuka a student, Sharon Nakitende, a tailor and Annet Nakato Nakibirango, a housewife.

Others are business persons including Zam Naiga, Ismail Matiwa, Huzaifa, Faisal Nadir Nsubuga, Bashir Jjuuko Kiwanuka alias Fred, Mohammed Kisiitu, Hamuza Bakyayita, a conductor, Jero Ishaq a shop attendant and Twaha Wambedde, an Imam at Kabila mosque in Nabweru, Nansana municipality in Wakiso district.

Also among the accused is Juliet Nansubuga alias Maama Bumali alias Hajjati Mujabirina alias Butambika, a Tanzanian national and hawker/artist, Faisal Muwonge, a sales person and businesswoman Jalia Nabukenya.

Cingtho told the court that they need a short adjournment to compile all the evidence and have the accused persons committed to the High Court for trial.

The suspects lawyer Geoffrey Turyamusiima did not oppose the adjournment but told court that his clients have spent half a year on remand.

Otawo adjourned the case to July 27 with an order to prison authorities to ensure that all the accused persons appear in court.

The suspects were neither physically in court nor via zoom which was reported to have a technical problem.

Grace Sonko, the mother of one of the suspects Sharon Nakitende reechoed her appeal to have her daughter who gave birth in the prison released.

The suspects were arraigned before Buganda Road Court after the twin bomb blasts at the IPS building opposite KCCA headquarters and another at the Central Police Station Kampala, which left seven people dead including the suspected suicide bomber. Scores of others escaped with injuries. Prior to the twin blasts, other bombs had gone off in a coach belonging to Swift bus along the Masaka highway and another at Digida pork joint in Kisaasi, a city suburb.

They were charged with terrorism, aiding and abetting terrorism, and belonging to a rebel group,  the Allied Democratic Forces.

The prosecution alleges that the accused persons unlawfully manufactured, placed, and detonated Improvised Explosive Devices-IEDs in Mpigi, Wakiso, and Kampala districts with intention of causing death or serious bodily injuries and a major economic loss.

They reportedly committed the offense in 2020 and 2021 for purposes of influencing the government and intimidating the public or a section of the public for political, religious, and socio-economic goals without due regard to the safety of others or property.

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