High Court ICD criminal sessions stall over funding shortfall

By Michael Odeng, Babra Kabahumuza and Farooq Kasule

KAMPALA - Criminal sessions of the International Crimes Division (ICD) of the High Court in Kampala have temporarily stalled following inadequate funding, New Vision Online has learnt.

Several high-profile cases, including the trial of former Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebel commander Jamilu Mukulu and works minister Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala shooting case, have been affected by the financial constraints.

The hearing of the shooting case involving Katumba was scheduled to resume on February 23, 2026, at ICD, but it also failed to proceed due to lack of funds.

The court session is being presided over by justices Susan Okalany, Dr Winifred Nabisinde and Richard Wejuli Wabwire.

The accused persons in the Katumba shooting case are Hussein Sserubula, Yasin Nyanzi, Muhammad Kagugube, Sirimani Kisambira, Abudullah Aziz Ramadhan Dunka, Kamada Walusimbi, Habib Ramadhan Marjan and Huzaifah Wampa.

Katumba was attacked on June 1, 2021, by unknown assailants at Kisaasi central zone in Nakawa division, Kampala city. He survived with serious gunshot wounds, while his daughter, Brenda Nantongo, and his driver, Sgt Haruna Kayondo, were killed.

Prosecution alleges that between March 2015 and June 2021, the accused participated in attacks and murders targeting Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) soldiers, Police personnel, civilians and police installations without regard for public safety.

The suspects are also charged with the attempted murder of Katumba’s bodyguard, Sgt Khalid Koboyoit, and Boniface Mucunguzi, as well as an additional count of terrorism.

When contacted, Judiciary spokesperson James Ereemye Mawanda said court operations depend on funds allocated under the institution’s budget, noting that the Judiciary suffered a budget cut of over shillings 30 billion this quarter.

“Once we suffer a budget cut, all planned activities, including sessions of specific matters we are focused on concluding, cannot proceed because of the limited budget,” he said.

Mawanda added, “It is not only the ICD that is affected; several planned sessions have been affected,” Mawanda said.

He added that the Judiciary is engaging the Ministry of Finance to secure additional funding to enable the continuation of planned court activities.

“The Judiciary is not the only institution which receives money from the Consolidated Fund, but our appeal has always been that budget cuts should not affect us because critical aspects of our work are disrupted,” he said.

Mawanda noted that court sessions will resume once funds are released.