Kampala bombings judgment underway

KAMPALA - Court will deliver judgment in the case of 13 men accused of masterminding the July 11, 2010 Kampala bombings that left 76 dead and scores injured.

This is taking place at the civil division of the High  Court in Kampala.

Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo is due to deliver judgment in the trial that has spanned five years.

 By 9.00am Thursday, the court was full

 
Soccer fans had gathered at Kyadondo Rugby Club and Ethiopian Village Restaurant to watch the World Cup final game between Spain and Holland.

The third bomb planted at Makindye House in the city suburb of Makindye, failed to go off. It was rigged to explode when the phone rang but it malfunctioned. It was recovered the next day.

Somali militant outfit Al- Shabaab, an affiliate of Al- Qaeda, claimed responsibility.

The outfit justified the attack, saying it was a warning for the Ugandas army that formed part of AMISOM to exit Somalia.

In addition to terrorism, the accused are also facing murder charges.

The Kampala bombings suspects have been in and out of court since the trial began. (Credit: Tony Rujuta)


FACT FILE

Accused: Hussein Hassan Agad, Idris Magondu, Isa Ahamed Luyima, Hassan Haruna Luyima, Abubakari Batematyo, and Yahya Suleiman Mbuthia, Habib Suleiman Njoroge, Omar Awadh Omar, Mohammad Hamid Sulaiman, Seleman Hijar Nyamandondo, Mohammad Ali Mohammad, Dr Ismael Kalule, and Muzafar Luyima

Prosecution: Susan Okalany(lead prosecutor, now High Court Judge), John Baptist Asiimwe, Lino Anguzu Thomas Jatiko, and Rachael Bikhole

Defence lawyers: Caleb Alaka, Yunus Kasirivu, Evans Ochieng, Annette Badda