Trial of six suspects in Gen Katumba shooting adjourned after one collapses
What you need to know:
- The panel led by Justice Susan Okalany adjourned the case after one of the suspects, Abdul Aziz Ramathan Dunku, collapsed in the dock
The International Crimes Division of the High Court has today (March 27, 2025) been forced to abruptly adjourn the case in which six people are accused of attempting to murder Works Minister, Gen Edward Katumba Wamala in 2021.
The group had appeared before a panel of four Justices to begin the hearing of their case in which they stand trial on charges of terrorism, 10 alternative counts of murder and 12 of attempted murder, 4 counts of aggravated robbery, rendering support to a terrorist organization, terrorism financing and belonging to a terrorist organization. They are also accused of murdering Gen Katumba's daughter Brenda Nantogo and driver Sgt Haruna Kayondo.
The panel led by Justice Susan Okalany adjourned the case after one of the suspects, Abdul Aziz Ramathan Dunku, collapsed in the dock. Other justices are; Dr Winfred Nibisinde, Richard Wejuli and Vicent Wagone.
"I order that the suspect be examined by the Prisons and other relevant medical authorities and a report regarding his condition and treatment be availed to court at the next sitting," Justice Okalany held before adjourning the case to April 24.
The judge also warned prosecution which had sought for an adjournment in order to apply for witness protection that no excuses will be allowed at the next hearing.
Other suspects are; Mohammad Kagugube, Kamada Walusimbi alias Mudinka, a boda boda rider, Silman Kisambira, Habib Ramathan Marjan, a religious teacher and Muzaifa Wampa alias Kanaaba, a boda boda rider.
The group are facing twenty six charges which include belonging to Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels, rendering support to a terrorist organisation, murder, attempted murder and aggravated robbery.
The prosecution contends under the charge of allegedly rendering support to a terrorist organisation, that the accused persons and others, who are still at large, between March 2015 and June 2021 in various places in Kampala, Luweero, Kasese and in various places in eastern DR Congo, rendered support to Hussein Lubwama, alias Master.
Prosecution also contends that the group robbed Cheap General Hardware in Nansana East 1 Zone in Wakiso District on May 29, 2019 causing the death of Jimmy Atukuru, Frank Abaho Mutinda, and Amin Bugembe.
It is also contended that in the same attack, the accused persons stole Shs38m from Ms Tedrin Nalule and threatened to shoot her.
The group is also accused of being behind the robbery at City Shoppers supermarket in Kanyanya-Mpererwe, where they allegedly killed Burton Okoti.
The same group is accused of robbing Shs2.2m from Ms Precious Kayesu and robbing Denovo bakery in Kalerwe thus stealing Shs34m from Ms Nawal Nakatudde.
Court documents indicate that the group also killed Edward Ssenyonzi and attempted to kill Ms Angello Nantongo and Evarest Hakizza.
Court held that all the said monies were stolen using violence with deadly weapons and the attacks were random shooting indiscriminately carried out in public places by the six suspects who were fighting to defend their Islam faith.
According to court Kagugube and Walusimbi confessed to the crime admitting that the said monies were remitted to ADF by their boss Lubowa Hussein alias master who recruited them, trained them for six months in Congo before returning to Uganda on how to use fire arms and instructed them to fight and defend their Islam faith.
It is further stated that al-qaeda literature and audio recordings confirming the six to be members of ADF were recovered from the home of Marjan in Kasangati.
