Trial of Muslim clerics accused of plotting to overthrow government starts
One of the suspects Aisha Nakasibante walks out of the courtroom after the proceedings. PHOTO BY STEPHEN WANDERA
What you need to know:
- All the 19 suspects were charged with treason.
- Particulars of the case indicate that between January 2013 and June 2015 at various places in Uganda including Kampala, Wakiso, Gulu, Kitgum, Rakai and Jinja districts and other places like Dubai in United Arab Emirates, Kenya and Tanzania, the suspects and others still at large contrived a plot to overturn the government by force and expressed such plot by utterances and overt acts.
- Court adjourned the case to February 20 for hearing.
KAMPALA. The High Court on Monday started hearing the case of 19 suspects charged with plotting to overthrow the government, among them three Muslim clerics who are already serving life imprisonment on other crimes.
The suspects Amir Kinene and Sheikh Murta Bukenya were jointly convicted with former Tabliq leader Amir Umar Mohammed Yunus Kamoga for terrorism in August last year. They were sentenced to life imprisonment upon conviction on terrorism regarding the assassinations of Muslim clerics. They have since appealed against the conviction.
Among the suspects is a woman; Aisha Nakasibante who is an in-law to Australia-based Ugandan cardiologist Dr Aggrey Kiyingi. They are facing two charges of treason and concealment of treason.
Other suspects are Hakim Kinene Muswaswa, Muzamilu Kasawuli, Arafat Serunjoji alias Buekenya, Alex Okot, Olanya Joseph alias Onekmon, Okidi Charles, RA 17019 Pte Arajab Mubaje alias Magombe Sulaiman, Matanda Issa aliasCharles, Haji Byamukama Abdul Ratif alias Tusiime, Ssemwogerere Asadu, Kibirige Solomon, Wadwali Safiyi alias Swafi Shafi, Yusuf Sentamu alias Kasibante, Muhamad Kolodo alias Kasibante, Ssentogo Ismail and Abonga Nick Frank alias Bongomin alias Joshua Alias Jossi.
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Mr Mike Chibita without giving reasons, dropped charges against one of the accused persons, Mr Badru Bukenya.
At the hearing in the High Court yesterday, Dr Emmanuel Nuwamanya, a police surgeon attached to Nsambya Police Health Centre, testified that in March 2016, he examined three of the suspects; Yusuf Sentamu , Muhammad Kalodo and Ismail Ssentongo whom he found to be of sound mental status and with no physical injuries.
Dr Nuwamanya, the first prosecution witness out of the 15 lined up by the state, submitted an examination report as an exhibit.
However, during cross-examination Dr Nuwamanya was grilled about the varying dates on the examination reports of the suspects and location of the examination.
Dr Nuwamanya is a senior commissioner of police. He admitted that he has never obtained any formal training in surgery despite his position.
Prosecution case
Particulars of the case indicate that between January 2013 and June 2015 at various places in Uganda including Kampala, Wakiso, Gulu, Kitgum, Rakai and Jinja districts and other places like Dubai in United Arab Emirates, Kenya and Tanzania, the suspects and others still at large contrived a plot to overturn the government by force and expressed such plot by utterances and overt acts.
The state alleges that during the same time, the suspects knowing that another person intended to commit treason did not give information thereof to the relevant authorities or use all reasonable endeavours to prevent commission of treason.
The trial Judge Wilson Masalu Musene adjourned the case to tomorrow for further hearing.
