Terrorism: Court sets trial date for Dr Kiyingi's sister-in-law

PIC: Aisha Nakasibante, who is among the Muslim clerics charged with terrorism at High Court being escorted back to Luzira Prison on January 18, 2018. Court has fixed the date of Feb.19, 2018 to start hearing the case. (Meddie Musisi) 

KAMPALA - The High Court has set February 19 to start hearing the case in which Dr Aggrey Kiyingi's sister-in-law, Aisha Nakasibante, is indicted with terrorism.

On Thursday, principal state attorney, Thomas Jatiko, informed the presiding judge, Wilson Masalu Musene, that the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) has got the necessary evidence against the accused.

"We have already shared our evidence with the defence lawyers. Therefore, we pray that hearing dates are set and prosecution witness summons issued to that effect," Jatiko said.

Nakasibante is battling the charges alongside Sheikh Murta Mudde Bukenya, who was last year jailed for life over terrorism, together with his brother, Tabliq leader Sheikh Muhammad Yunus Kamoga over another charge of terrorism.

Other accused are Alex Okot, Arajab Mubaje, Solomon Kibirige, Muhammad Kaloddo, Ismail Ssentogo, Wadwali Safiyu, Asadu Ssemwogerere, Ssentamu Yusuf, Isa Matanda, Haj Abdul Latif Byamukama and Sulaiman Magombe.

The group has been on remand since January 2015. In 2016, the DPP dropped Muslim clerics' murder charges against them, but they could not regain their freedom over the charge.

In an interview with NewVision yesterday, defence lawyer Friday Roberts Kagoro said they are happy that justice is now seen to be served.

"For all along, we have been waiting for the trial of our clients in vain. Today, we are happy that finally the hearing dates have been set for our clients so that they get to know their fate. The case will be heard on a daily basis, save for the weekend starting on February 19 to March 2," Kagoro said.

He disclosed that although the state has not shared with them the number of witnesses they intend to present in court, but according to the documents it availed to them, they could be about 15.

Court documents indicate that Nakasibante purportedly received funds from Kiyingi to facilitate terrorism acts, which were allegedly done by the group and their allies.

Prosecution alleges that the group and others still at large between January 2014 and June 2015 in Kampala, Wakiso, Gulu, Kitgum, Mbale, Masaka, Mpigi, Rakai, Jinja, United Arab Emirates, Kenya and Tanzania contrived a plot to overthrow the Government.  According to State, they expressed it by utterances and overt acts.

 It further alleges that the accused also between December 2013 and June 2015 in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and United Arab Emirates knew of a group of people plotting to overthrow the Government, but failed to inform the relevant authorities.