Defence lawyers protest delays in Mukulu treason trial

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Lawyers representing former Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebel commander Jamilu Mukulu and his co-accused have protested against prolonged detention and delays in the treason trial.

Mukulu faces charges of murder and terrorism alongside 18 others, including Ali Kabambwe, also known as Munakenya. The offences of terrorism and murder carry a maximum penalty of death upon conviction.

The defence team, led by Wandera Ogalo, presented their concerns on April 1, 2026, before a panel of four justices at the International Crimes Division of the High Court in Kampala. The justices include Michael Elubu, Dr Andrew Bashaija, Susan Okalany, and Stephen Mubiru.

Ogalo argued that the continued detention and repeated delays in prosecuting the accused raise questions about the conduct of the Director of Public Prosecutions and the justice system.

Jamilu Mukulu in court. Mukulu faces charges of murder and terrorism alongside 18 others. (Photo by Margret Zalwango)

He informed the court that the accused have spent more than 11 years on remand, despite multiple attempts to secure their release through bail and other legal remedies.

“The continued detention of the accused raises serious concerns about fairness and abuse of court process,” Ogalo argued.

The defence lawyer further submitted that a bail application filed in 2016 was not heard promptly and remained pending for an extended period. He added that a subsequent bail application heard on March 20, 2017, was dismissed on October 1, 2019.

The court rejected the bail application of some of the accused persons on the grounds that they did not have substantial sureties.

The defence also revealed that in 2016, the accused persons filed a judicial review application challenging the DPP’s decision to prosecute them, arguing that it was irrational, illegal, and procedurally improper.

However, the DPP did not file a substantive response but raised a preliminary objection describing the application as misconceived. The application was eventually dismissed.

In response, Justice Michael Elubu emphasised the need for timely handling of such matters, cautioning against delays in future proceedings.

The case

Mukulu and the group are implicated in the murder of seven people, including Sheikh Abdukadir Muwaya and Sheikh Yunus Abubaker Madangu. Muwaya was murdered on December 25, 2014, at Kavule LC1 in Mayuge district.

Others killed were LC3 chairperson Tito Kwa, Julius Owori, police constable Muzamir Babale, special police constable Karim Tenywa, and John Stephen Owori.

According to the prosecution, the accused committed the offences between 2002 and 2015 in various districts, including Kampala, for the purposes of influencing the government or intimidating the public for political, religious, social, or economic aims, and indiscriminately without due regard to the safety of others or property.