I’m being tortured in prison- Mukulu
The former Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) commander Jamil Mukulu in the dock at High Court in Kampala May 14, 2025. PHOTO / ABUBAKER LUBOWA
What you need to know:
- Mr Ssegona said both Uganda and Tanzania had agreed that Mukulu would only be charged with nine counts of murder, however, the Ugandan state later added charges of terrorism, attempted murder, aggravated robbery, and belonging to a terrorist organization.
There was tension in the courtroom as former Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) commander, Jamilu Mukulu appeared in public for the first time since 2019, seeking to halt his terrorism trial and challenge what he termed a breach of extradition terms and gross violations of his rights.
Mukulu, alongside co-accused Muhammad Matovu and Omar Abdallah Mutuka, appeared before the International Crimes Division of the High Court, which was temporarily sitting at the Civil Division in Kampala. The trio arrived in a heavily guarded prison vehicle, under the watch of both prison authorities and the Joint Anti-Terrorism Taskforce (JAT).
As he stepped out of the car and headed to the court cells, Mukulu shouted, "As-salamu alaykum. Ultimately, it is Allah who decides. These individuals you see here are not to be taken seriously they are just jokers."
Through his lawyer Medard Lubega Ssegona, the former rebel commander is seeking to block the trial arguing that the charges violate the terms under which they were extradited from Tanzania in 2015.
Mr Ssegona said both Uganda and Tanzania had agreed that Mukulu would only be charged with nine counts of murder, however, the Ugandan state later added charges of terrorism, attempted murder, aggravated robbery, and belonging to a terrorist organization.
Mr Ssegona told court that the additional charges not sanctioned by the Tanzanian magistrate undermine the extradition process and violate fair trial rights under the law.
"The Tanzanian magistrate had to first obtain assurances from both governments that the accused would not face charges beyond the specified murders. This court should strike out the fresh indictment," Mr Ssegona submitted.
He also argued that some of the alleged offenses occurred outside Uganda--- in Kenya and the Democratic Republic of Congo--- thus falling outside the court’s jurisdiction.
Mukulu further accused the state of subjecting him to torture, stating he was held for a year at Nalufenya police station under inhumane conditions. Although lacking medical records, the accused offered to display scars and injuries allegedly sustained during detention.
This prompted the panel of four justices who are; Michael Elubu, Susan Okalany, Stephen Mubiru, and Andrew Bashaija to order an in court examination of the accused's bodies saying it would aid their ruling on torture claims.
In an emotional address to the court, Mukulu claimed: “I’m being tortured in prison… confined in a 2.5 square meter room with a bucket for urine and feces, with no ventilation and many mosquitoes. I stay there 15 hours a day for ten years.”
He added that he eats once a day, has lost 25kg, and is denied access to affordable food and communication with fellow inmates.
“They even edit the documents I send to my lawyers. They chased away Ssemakadde and Ochieng. I ask court to stop prisons from harassing me and my lawyers,” Mukulu pleaded.
Representing the Attorney General, Johnson Natuhwera dismissed the claims as tactics to delay the trial. He said similar arguments were raised and dismissed by Justice Eva Luswata in 2019, adding that there was consent from Tanzania to include additional charges.
The court has set June 23 when it will decide its ruling on whether to halt the trial or go on.
