Tourists' murder case hearing starts in Kampala

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The hearing of a case in which Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) commander Rashid Abdul Kyoto is accused of killing tourists at Queen Elizabeth National Park, starts today at the International Crimes Division of the High Court in Kampala.

He is expected to appear before Justice Andrew Bashaija for the pre-trial hearing.

Kyoto was committed to the High Court for trial on April 13, 2024, by Nakawa Court Chief Magistrate Erias Kakooza after the Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Thomas Jatiko informed the court that investigations are complete.

Briton David James Barlow, his South African wife Celia Emmarentia Geyer and tour guide Eric Alyai were murdered in an attack on October 17, 2023, while on safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park in South-West Uganda.

It is also alleged that Kyoto murdered Joseph Matovu and Paralesi Biira Nzowera and burnt their truck loaded with sacks of onions along Kikorongo-Bwera road, in Kasese district. The offences elicit a maximum sentence of death upon conviction.

Allegations

In regard to terrorism, prosecution alleges that Kyoto and others still at large, on October 17, 2023, at Nyamunuka, along Katunguru-Katwe-Kabatoro road, within Queen Elizabeth National Park in Kasese district, for purposes of influencing the Government or intimidating the public and for a political, religious, social or economic aim, indiscriminately without due regard to the safety of others or property carried out serious acts of violence aimed at causing the death of the tourists, all civilians who were not engaged in armed conflict.

In the second count of terrorism, the prosecution purports that Kyoto and others still at large, between October 13, 2023, and October 17, 2023, at various locations within Queen Elizabeth National Park, in Kasese district, burnt two motor vehicles: A Mercedes-Benz Cargo Truck and a Toyota Land Cruiser tourist vehicle.

Kyoto and others still at large are also accused of unlawfully causing the death of Barlow, Geyer and Alyai, with malice aforethought.

They also allegedly robbed Barlow of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland passports at gunpoint. They also allegedly robbed Geyer of an unspecified amount of money, Barclays Premier Banking Card No.00041793, British Airways American Express card and the Republic of South Africa passport.

Prosecution further alleges that Kyoto, between 2018 and November 1, 2023, at various places in Uganda, including Queen Elizabeth National Park in Kasese district, Kampala and in the DRC, was a commander and belonged or professed to belong to the ADF, a terrorist organisation.