Two Ugandans held in Kenya over terrorism

Emmanuel Oneka (L) and Malcolm Lukwiya in court yesterday. They told journalists that they were “shocked” at the allegations. PHOTOs BY Paul Waweru

Kampala.
Two Ugandans whom Kenya police say are connected to a syndicate which is recruiting youth to join Syria’s ISIS terrorists have been ordered detained for 30 days.

Malcom Lukwiya and Emmanuel Oneka were arrested on July 1 at a hideout in Kabete, Nairobi, after allegedly sneaking into the country following the killing of a top Muslim cleric Sheikh Hassan Kirya in their home country.

They are believed to be trained assassins involved in the killing of other prominent people, the Kenya police said in an affidavit presented in court yesterday.

The police said an analysis of their phone call data revealed that they have been in constant communication with two known recruiters hiding in Tanzanian and Sudan.

“The suspects are connected with a syndicate that is recruiting youth in Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania who then go to Syria to join Isis, they are connected with one Sebit, a Ugandan who is in Juba, South Sudan, a known recruiter who has been in constant contact with them,” ATPU’s Sergeant Ezekiel Luley told the court.

“A suspect Ssenabulia Rajab an Alliance Democratic Front fighter has been arrested in connection with the killing of the Sheikh and by the records of their phone call data it is noted that they have been in constant communication,” the ATPU officer says in the affidavit.

A heavy security detail accompanied Lukwiya, 20, and Oneka, 24, when they were taken before the chief magistrate Daniel Ogembo yesterday .

Mr Luley’s affidavit stated further that both suspects are believed to be involved with the rebel group Alliance Democratic Front of Uganda, which has claimed responsibility for the killings of prominent personalities in the neighbouring country.

The officer asked the court to treat the suspects as “dangerous to the security of the State” owing to the fact that “the two are trained in arms to carry out assassinations as is happening in Uganda.”