Sheikhs charged afresh in clerics murder trial

The 14 Muslim Sheikhs accused of masterminding the murder of several clerics were on Monday charged afresh before the International Crimes Division of the High court in Kampala.

This after their pre-trial hearing last month  in which the court  confirmed charges of murder, terrorism and attempted murder, against them.

Consequently the court’s three justices – Ezekiel Muhanguzi, Percey Tuhiase and Jane Kiggundu – read the three counts to  the accused for purposes of taking plea as the first step in this trial.

The  14 accused including leader of Tabliq sect  in the country Sheikh Yunus Kamoga, his brother Sheikh Siraje Kawooya, Sheikh Multa  Mudde, among others have all denied committing these offences .

Prosecution led by Principle State Attorney Lino Anguzu says between December 2013 and June 2014 in districts of Wakiso and Kampala the accused conspired to murder  Sheikh Mustafa Bahiga and Sheikh Hassan Kirya.

They have also pleaded not  guilty to threatening the lives of Buganda Prince Kassim Nakibinge Kakungulu, Deputy Supreme Mufti Muhammod Kibaate and Sheikh Haruna Jjemba for either a political,  social or religious reason.

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editor@independent.co.ug