Rebel leader Mukulu trial resumes today

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The trial of former Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebel leader, Jamil Mukulu, on terrorism charges resumes today (May 14, 2025), at the Criminal Division of the High Court in Kampala city.

Mukulu was arrested in April 2015 in Tanzania and extradited to Uganda in July 2015 to face trial on several charges, including murder.

Mukulu is 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 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.

The prosecution intends to rely on several exhibits, including explosives, guns, ammunition, literature related to activities of ADF, car number plates and confession statements of some suspects during the trial.

In September 2019, Justice Eva Luswata, who presided over the group’s pre-trial, ruled that there was sufficient evidence to warrant their trial over the charges.

Consequently, she committed them to a panel of three justices for trial as required under the International Crimes Division of the High Court rules.

However, a few months after their committal, the COVID-19 pandemic set in, prompting the Judiciary to suspend the trial.