Kampala. The trial of the 32 suspects behind last year’s murder of Muslim clerics kicked off yesterday in high gear, with the suspects’ lawyers accusing the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Gen Kale Kayihura, of bribery and intimidation of their clients.
The suspects, who are among others, facing charges of terrorism, attempted murder and crimes against humanity, are accused of killing Sheikh Mustafa Bahiga at Bwebajja on Entebbe Road, Sheikh Abdulkadir Muwaya in Mayuge District and Sheikh Hassan Kirya at Bweyogerere in Wakiso District.
During a fully-packed court session at the International Crimes Division of the High Court in Kampala under tight security, the lawyers submitted before a panel of three justices led by Justice Ezekiel Muhanguzi that Gen Kayihura masterminded a plan to convince some suspects to pin their colleagues.
Other Justices
Other justices are Jane Kiggundu and Percy Tuhaise.
The lawyers particularly pointed to an incident where Gen Kayihura is said to have enticed some suspects to indict the Tablique leader of the Muslim community in Uganda, Sheikh Yunus Kamoga after he promised them fat perks.
Such perks included huge sums of money and mansions and a promise to regain their freedom if they pinned their colleagues on the charges.
“Three of the suspects, including Ismael Ssentongo, Yusuf Kakande and Isa Musa have been frequently taken out of the gazetted remand prisons to police in order to put Sheikh Kamoga at the core of the Muslim murders by the IGP himself,” Mr Twaha Mayanja, one of the lawyers representing the suspects, told court yesterday.
The justices at this point warned prison authorities against transferring suspects without a court order.
Court was also told by Mr Ladislaus Rwakafuzi, another suspects’ lawyer, that one of the suspects had been transferred from Luzira Maximum Security prison in Kampala to Nalufenya Prison in Jinja District without a court order.
Other defence lawyers include Mr Ivan Kyateke, Mr Steven Ssozi, Mr Duncan Ssebalu, Mr Musa Bbale, Ms Sarah Nakachwa, Mr Fred Muwema, Ms Sylvia Namwanje, Ms Susan Wakabala and Mr Yusufu Nsibambi.
“There shall be no illegal removal of the accused persons and there shall be no such promises- of giving huge sums of money- made. If this happens, inform court or else prison warders be held accountable,” ordered Justice Muhanguzi.
Justice Muhanguzi emphasised that if the suspects need to be taken out of prison to make any additional statement, a court order must be sought and the process done in the presence of their lawyers.
The case was adjourned to July 18 at the request of the state prosecution, who presented new evidence against the suspects.
“We got new evidence against the accused persons which we need to go through before the trial begins,” Mr Charles Kamuli, the state prosecutor said, adding: “We also need to find better mechanisms of protecting our witnesses who are intimidated.”
Other suspects
Other sustects include Sheikh Siraje Kawooya, Abdulsalam, Abdulhamid Sematimba, Rashid Jingo, Twaha Sekkitto, Yusuf Kakande, alias Abdallah, Sheikh Murta Mudde Bukenya, Hakim Kinene Muswaswa, Muzamilu Kasawuli, Arafa Serunjoji, alias Bukenya, Badru Bukenya, Alex Okot, Joseph Olanya, and Amir Kenene.
Others are Aisha Nakasibante, Charles Okidi, Sheikh Fahad Kalungi, Pte Arajab Mubaje, Issa Matanda, Hajj Abdul Ratif Byamukama, Asadu Ssemwongerere, Solomon Kibiringe, Safiyi Wadwali, alias Swafi Shafi, Hamuza Kasirye, Yusuf Sentamu, Robert Bampikye, Muhamadi Kalodo, alias Kasibante, Musa Isa Mubiru, Ismail Ssentongo and Iga George William, alias Hamuza
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