The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The International Crimes Division of the High Court has constituted panels to hear high-profile cases including the attempted killing of former Chief of Defense Forces, General Katumba Wamala.
General Katumba Wamala, who is currently serving as Minister of Works and Transport survived by a whisker but his daughter Brenda Nantongo Wamala and Driver Haruna Kayondo were murdered by the attackers, whose motive is yet to be known
The panel will also handle the case of the slain UPDF officer, Major Muhammad Kiggundu who was killed in the suburbs of Kampala.
The panels each comprised of four Justices appeared in Court on Thursday and gave dates as to when the trial of the accused persons in both cases will commence.
The head of International Crimes Division Justice Dr. Andrew Bashaija, Dr. Winifred Nibisinde, Justices Richard Wejuli Wabwire and Lady Justice Susan Okalany are to handle the Katumba Wamala attempted murder.
Eight people are standing trial on dozens of charges including terrorism, murder, aggravated robbery, attempted murder financing terrorism activities, and belonging to a terrorist organization.
The accused persons are, Sheikh Yusuf Nyanzi, Hussein Sserubula, Muhammad Kagugube, Sirimani Kisambira, Abudullah Aziz Ramadhan, Dunka, Kamada Walusimbi, Habib Ramadhan Marjan and Huzaifah Wampa.
The prosecution alleges that the accused persons were involved in various crimes, including multiple murders and robberies committed at different locations.
The exhibits recovered during police searches include firearms, ammunition, motorcycles, hoods, ropes, and materials related to terrorism. The evidence also suggests that the recovered firearms were previously used in other high-profile murder cases
The panel of the Judges to try the accused selected assessors including Sarah Namayanja, Lawrence Mukasa, and Albert Kasasa. Assessors are ordinary people but with an average understanding of the law.
The Panel further fixed the hearing of this case to commence on July 18th, 2024 and further remanded the accused persons.
The Prosecution was represented by the Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Lino Anguzu and the Accused persons were represented by Lawyer Geoffrey Turyamusiima.
Relatedly, the same Court headed by Justice Dr Andrew Bashaija and three other Judges has fixed the case of Major Kiggundu Murder to commence hearing on July 15th, 2024.
Dr Bashaija , and Lady Justices Patricia Basaza , Alice Komuhangi Khauka, and Susan Okalany will try the suspected murderers of Kiggundu and his bodyguard Sargent Steven Mukasa with whom they were murdered on November 26th, 2016.
The assessors will remain the same with John Martin Ofwono coming on board instead of Lawrence Mukasa.
The Prosecution which was represented by Assistant DPP Anguzu, Thomas Jatiko, and Chief State Attorney Lilian Omara has been directed to provide a schedule to defense counsel detailing the number of witnesses and their order of appearance and the witness protection.
The accused persons in this case are: Sheikh Yahaya Mwanje, Yusuf Nyanzi , Mohammed Buyondo alias Matiya, Abdu Wahab Sendegeya, Musa Ssekandi alias Masanafu, Jibril Kalyango aliaz Bin Suleiman , Bruhan Balyejusa Kalyango and Noordin Lutaya alias Ibrahim Ssemwanga alias Superman.
The available evidence indicates that the Prime Suspect Sheikh Yahaya Mwanje was seen along the Northern by-pass shortly before Kiggundu and his bodyguard Mukasa were murdered in Masanafu a Kampala Suburb on November 26th, 2016. Yet before the attack, he had reportedly released recordings containing hate speech sentiments directed at Kiggundu.
The DPP’s records also show that Kiggundu before his murder had indicated that Mwanje was threatening to kill him and he was reportedly in constant communication with his co-accused whom he would delete call logs immediately after the conversations.
The DPP says that Mwanje who was the head of Nakasero Mosque had threatened to kill Kiggundu and a faction of other Muslim clerics because they were against his leadership and management of the projects of the Mosque.
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