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The pre-trial hearing of a case where five men are facing terrorism charges has been scheduled for May 27, 2024.

On March 27, 2024, Justice Andrew Bashaija, presiding over the Nakasero-based International Crimes Division of the High Court, fixed the hearing for the case against Ibrah Muwonge, also known as Ibra Kimbowa, Mustafa Lule, Wycliff Makabayi, Patrick Opio alias Wasswa and Vincent Senyonga.

A pre-trial is a preliminary hearing held before the main trial, during which all parties involved in the case convene to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to proceed with the main trial.

Justice Bashaija deferred the pre-trial after Senior State Attorney Jacqulyn Okui from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) informed the court that the prosecution had not disclosed the evidence to be relied upon during the trial to the defence lawyer.

Justice Bashaija directed the prosecution to disclose the necessary documents and other related evidence to the defence lawyer, Zefania Zimbe, by April 30, 2024.

Muwonge, Lule, Opio and Senyonga are facing terrorism charges and terrorism and financing contrary to section (7)(1)(a) and (b) and 7(2) (p) of the Anti- Terrorism Act, 2002 as amended.

Prosecution’s case

It is alleged that Muwonge, Lule, Opio, Makabayi, and Senyonga, between November and December 2022, in Kivuuvu, Mpoma, and Nsanvu villages in Mukono district, for the purposes of influencing the government and intimidating the public for political, social, and economic aims, interfered with the power transmission grid.

Prosecution said they did so by cutting down twelve electricity transmission high-voltage pylons on a 132KV Owen Falls-Lugogo transmission line, a 220KV Bujagali-Kawanda transmission line, and a 132KV Owen Falls-Namanve transmission line, which resulted in power disruption.

In the second charge of terrorism against Muwonge and Senyonga, the prosecution stated that on December 15, 2022, at Bukasa and Bukomba villages in Nakasongola parish, Luwero sub-county, Luwero district, they recklessly, without due regard for the safety of others, cut down six electric distribution poles. Their action resulted in the disruption of essential services in Luwero.

The prosecution alleges that they committed the same offences at Mayindo village, Bulyatende Parish, in Buikwe district.

Regarding the charge of terrorism and financing, it is alleged that Muwonge and others still at large, between November and December 2022 and 2023, in various locations in the districts of Buikwe, Mukono, Nakaseke, Luwero, and Nakasongola, provided funds through money transfers with the knowledge that the money would be used by Lule, Makabayi, Opio, and Senyonga to commit the offenses of terrorism. The accused are currently remanded in Luzira Prison.