Nine suspected ADF rebels jailed

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Appearing before Grade One Magistrate, Ms Joan Aciro, the suspects were denied to take plea on grounds that a magistrate’s court does not have jurisdiction to try capital offences

KAMPALA-
Buganda Road Magistrates Court on Thursday remanded nine suspected Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels to Luzira prison over terror related charges.

The suspects were charged with two counts which included belonging to ADF a terrorist organisation and providing financial assistance for terrorism contrary to Section 12(1) and (2) of the Anti-terrorism Act of 2002.

Appearing before Grade One Magistrate, Ms Joan Aciro, the suspects were denied to take plea on grounds that a magistrate’s court does not have jurisdiction to try capital offences.

Prosecution alleges that between 2000 and 2014, the suspects at different places in DR Congo belonged to ADF which is a terrorist organisation outlawed by the constitution, and other laws of Uganda.

It is further alleged that in July 2014 at different places in Uganda, Kenya and DR Congo, the accused persons provided financial assistance to other members of ADF, a terrorist group when they had reasonable cause to suspect that the said assistance was going to be used for terrorism activities.

The magistrate adjourned the case to September 8, this year for mention.

The DR Congo North Kivu Province has seen a lot of suffering at the hands of many rebel groups all fighting for control of territory. The presence of these rebel groups has forced hundreds of Congolese out of their homes and they are currently living as refugees in Uganda and Rwanda.

The ADF rebels were defeated in 2003 after terrorising most parts of the Rwenzori region since November 1996 when they first attacked Uganda from DR Congo.