When Jamil Mukulu became Uganda’s most wanted man

At around 5:00am, as dawn crept over the hills, the rebels struck at Kichwamba Technical Institute in Kabarole district. Mukulu’s men, chanting and whooping, overran the campus. They shot out the generator, plunged the place into darkness, doused the boys’ dormitories with petrol and locked the doors from outside. Screams echoed as 80 young lives were consumed by fire or cut down by bullets. More than 100 others were abducted.

From right: Former ADF rebel leader, Jamil Mukulu with his co-accused, Muhammad Matovu and Umar Isabirye, appearing at the International Crimes Division of the High Court in Kampala, on May 14, 2025.