By Herbert Ssempogo

TERRORISM charges have been lined up against 29 people suspected of having torched Nateete Police Station during the riots that paralysed the city two weeks ago.

This was announced by Kampala Metropolitan deputy spokesperson Henry Kalulu during a press conference yesterday.

The station was attacked on the night of September 11 following the Government’s blocking of the Katikkiro’s visit to Kayunga, citing security concerns.

Agitated Mengo supporters stormed the station, set it on fire, destroyed property, including the suspects’ files, and torched 28 cars parked at the station. They also looted the homes of Police staff and stole all their personal belongings.

According to Kalulu, the same gang burnt two vehicles and set ablaze a power transformer in Busega, another Kampala suburb.

The suspects, Kalulu said, were picked up from Nateete, Busega and Kyengera on the Kampala-Masaka highway. They were last evening still detained at Katwe station, pending court proceedings scheduled this week.

Their activities contravened section seven of the Anti-Terrorism Act, Kalulu explained. The section says that a person commits an act of terrorism when he is directly involved or is an accomplice in maiming or attacking any official premises, private accommodation or means of transport.

Such acts should be “for purposes of influencing the Government or intimidating the public or a section of the public”.

They should also be “for a political, religious, social or economic gain, indiscriminately, without due regard to the safety of others or property,” according to the Act.

Terrorism is a capital offence, punishable by death if found guilty. The High Court tries terrorism suspects.

President Yoweri Museveni last week inspected Nateete Police Station and the neighbourhood to asses the damage. He warned that those responsible would face the law and pledged to build an improved station.

At the same press conference, Kalulu said another 68 suspects will have to answer charges of unlawful assembly, riotous demonstration and looting property in court today.

A total of 100 people have appeared in different courts in Kampala, Mukono, Masaka and Mityana over the same charges.