Medical examiners testify on victims’ injuries in ex-rebel leader Mukulu trial

______________

Medical examiners yesterday testified in court about injuries sustained by some of the victims linked to the terrorism case involving Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) commander Jamil Mukulu and his co-accused.

Bugweri District health officer Dr Abubakari Nakendo told court about the postmortem examination he conducted on the body of Yunusu Mundango while he was still serving at Bugiri Hospital, where he worked for 20 years.

Nakendo testified that on August 18, 2012, Mundango’s body was brought to Bugiri mortuary at about 9:00pm for an autopsy.

He said the deceased, aged 36, had sustained two gunshot wounds that entered through the back and exited through the abdomen.

According to Nakendo, the body was covered in blood when it arrived at the mortuary. After conducting the examination, he prepared a medical report, which he later submitted to Police Officer David Henry Otim, who had requested it from Bugiri Police Station.

The court also heard that on August 19, 2012, Bugiri police officer Cpl. Cosmus Ejok brought Mohammed Maganda, 20, a resident of Namayemba village in Bugiri district, for medical examination after he had allegedly been shot.

Nakendo told court that Maganda was bleeding heavily from the mouth due to bullet wounds in the chest and was in severe pain.

He said that because of the seriousness of the injuries and the limited surgical capacity at Bugiri hospital, doctors referred the victim to Jinja General Hospital for specialised treatment.

Nakendo testified 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.

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 offence between 2002 and 2015 in various districts, including Kampala, for the purpose 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.

The hearing of the case has been adjourned to June 15, 2026.