The High Court’s War Crimes Division in Kampala has set June 14, to start hearing of the case in which 31 people are accused of masterminding the killing of Muslim clerics last year.
The group includes 9 suspects Sheikh Yunus Kamoga, Siraje Kawooya, Abdulsala Ssekayanja, Abdulhamid Ssematimba, Rashid Jjingo, Twaha Ssekitto, Yusuf Kakande, Fahad Kalungi and Murtamudde Bukenya who are accused participating in the murder of Sheikh Mustapha Bahiga early last year.
However, the indictment was amended to include more 22 suspects charged with the murder of Sheikh Hassan Kirya in Bweyogerere (Wakiso) and Sheikh Ductoor Suudi Bongo Muwaya in Mayuge.
Prosecution told court some of the extra suspects had been brought in from abroad including Dubai in the UAE.
Chimpreports has learnt that a panel of 3 judges is set to be appointed to hear the case that kicks of mid this year.
According to Justice Duncan Gaswaga who was on Thursday afternoon in charge of the pre-trial hearing of the case, the panel is set to be named to take charge of the case.
“I am just preparing the ground so that when it starts there is free flow. I might not even be part of the judges,” Justice Gaswaga said in court on Thursday during the pre-trial session.
Avail Evidence
Justice Gaswaga ordered the prosecution to furnish the defense lawyers led by Ladislas Rwakafuuzi and Fred Muwema with the evidence they intend to use in the case.
The suspects arrives at court from Luzira Prison
This followed a request by the defense lawyers to punish the prosecution side led by Principal State Attorney Charles Kamuli for failure to avail the evidence as had been ordered by the constitutional court last year.
In its defense, the state said the files for the suspects were being handled separately by different police stations and these were still recording statements on top of the voluminous evidence they have.
The prosecutors also cited the various exhibits in form of cars, motor cycles, mobile phones, laptop and other documents that had to be put together.
The judge however ordered them to avail the evidence to the defense lawyers before the trial kicks in off June.
Dr. Kiyingi
The state had earlier said they had lost interest in pushing for charges against Australian Cardiologist Dr. Aggrey Kiyingi.
“I have instructions from the Director of Public Prosecutions to discontinue charges against Dr. Aggrey Kiyingi,” said the lead prosecutor Kamuli .
The cardiologist had been accused of forming the Federal Alliance rebel movement in a bid to commit atrocities against Ugandans.
Charges
The 31 are accused of terrorism, murder, crime against humanity, supporting ADF rebels and attempted murder committed between December 2014 and June last year in various areas.