Kaweesi murder suspects: Court sets pre-trial date
This photo taken on February 26, 2021 shows Geoffrey Turyamusiima, lawyer of Andrew Kaweesi murder suspects, helping Abdul Shakul Musoke walk to the holding cell at International Crimes Division of the High Court in Kololo before they were released. PHOTO/ STEPHEN OTAGE
What you need to know:
- Justice Duncan Gaswaga yesterday set May 10 to 14 for the pre-trial hearing after both defence and state lawyers informed court that they had completed sharing of all evidence that will be used during the trial.
The International Crimes Division of the High Court has set dates for the pre-trial hearing in a case where eight suspects are implicated in the murder of former police spokesperson Andrew Felix Kaweesi in March 2017.
Justice Duncan Gaswaga yesterday set May 10 to 14 for the pre-trial hearing after both defence and state lawyers informed court that they had completed sharing of all evidence that will be used during the trial.
The eight suspects are Abdurashid Mbaziira, Noordin Higenyi, alias taata Abdallazak, Yusuf Mugerwa, alias Wilson, Bruhan Balyejusa, alias Jimmy Masiga Ogutu, Josshua Magezi Kyambadde, alias Abdu Rahman, Jibril Kalyango, alias Abu Aisha, Yusuf Siraje Nyanzi, alias Jimmy Ssentamu, and Shafik Kasujja.
They are part of the 23 suspects who were charged with the murder of Kaweesi who was shot dead with his bodyguard Kenneth Erau and driver Godfrey Wambewa.
Other suspects are still appearing before Nakawa Chief Magistrate’s Court for mention of their cases pending completion of investigations against them. All were released on bail pending trial, except two who are still on remand on separate charges of child trafficking.
The judge yesterday also ordered that the two suspects, Abdul Rashid Mbaziira and Aramathan Higenyi, who are still on remand on child trafficking charges be produced in court for the hearing of the Kaweesi murder case.
The trial has been pending since 2017.
“Your honour, as State we are through with making disclosures of the evidence we intend to rely on during the trial,” Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Lino Anguzu told court yesterday.
The evidence which prosecution intends to use during the trial include the car in which Kaweesi was killed, cartridges recovered from the scene of crime and motorcycles used to execute the mission.
The case
Prosecution states that the group and others still at large between January and March 2017 in diverse districts plotted to murder Andrew Felix Kaweesi.
It is further stated that the accused rendered support to Bruhan Balyejusa, Jimmy Ogutu and Noordin alias Taata Abudal-razak, alleged members of Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebel group in executing the terror acts.
It is also stated that the group confessed to being part of ADF, a group listed in the second schedule to the Anti-Terrorism Act 2002 between 2006 and 2007 while operating in various places within Uganda and DR Congo.
