Final submissions entered in Muslim clerics murder case

TRIAL

KAMPALA - The trial of 14 Tabliq Muslim clerics facing charges of terrorism and murder has been concluded at the International Crimes Division of the High Court after the prosecution and defence lawyers entered their final submissions. 

The 14 men, who include the leader of the Tabliq sect known as Amir Ummah Sheikh Muhammad Yunus Kamoga, are facing charges of terrorism and murder of prominent Sheikhs Mustafa Bahiga and Hassan Ibrahim Kirya.

 They are also battling charges of attempted murder of Dr Sheikh Haruna Jjemba and threatening attacks on a number of other Muslims including the titular leader of Muslims in the country Prince Kassim Nakibinge Kakungulu.

Others accused are Sheikh Siraje Kawooya, Sheikh Murta Mudde Bukenya, Sheikh Fahad Kalungi, Amir Kinene, Hakim Kinene Muswaswa, Yusuf Kakande, Sheikh Abdulsalam Sekayanja, Abdulhamid Mubiru Sematimba,Hamza Kasirye,Twaha Ssekitto,Rashid Jjingo, Musa Issa Mubiru, and George William Iga.

 Prosecution produced 36 witnesses upon which court ruled that all the accused had a case to answer but they opted to remain silent.

Prosecution alleged that between December 2014  and June 2015, the accused, with others still at large, conspired premeditatedly to murder Sheikh Mustafa Bahiga and Hassan Kirya.

It was further alleged that the accused attempted or attacked Prince Kassim Nakibinge, Mahmoud Kibaate, Najib Ssonko, Swidiq Ndaula, and Haruna Jjemba.

Meanwhile, the court said that on Thursday, it would sum up the case for the assessors to give their opinion.

The court was presided over by a panel of three Judges led by Ezekiel Muhanguzi. Other judges are Percy Night Tuhaise and Jane Kiggundu.