Kaweesi murder: Lawyers ask security organs not re-arrest suspects

PIC: Some of the suspects at the at the  International  Crimes Division  of  the High Court recently . (Photo by Mpalanyi Ssentongo)

CRIME  COURT  KAWEESI MURDER

Lawyers representing eight men accused of complicity in the murder of former police spokesperson Andrew Felix Kaweesi have pleaded with security organs not re-arrest the suspects who are slated to be released today at 2:00pm after securing bail.

Anthony Wameli and Ladislaus Rwakafuuzi say that they have reliable information that the security organs are planning to re-arrest the suspects but urged them to desist from the act, saying it undermines the doctrine of rule of law.

"We have learnt with great shock and sadness about a move by security organs to re-arrest the suspects immediately after being cleared by the court.

However, we encourage the security organs to refrain from the same. If any of the accused persons has any pending charge, they should inform us such that we hand him in peacefully," Wameli said.

On Tuesday, High Court judge Lydia Mugambe released the suspects on bail after spending two years on remand without trial.

 Mugambe released each of the accused on a non-cash bail of sh150m while their sureties were bonded at sh250m not cash.

"Considering the long period the applicants have spent on remand without trial, I am inclined to release all of you on bail after presenting substantial sureties in court," Mugambe ruled.

They are Abdul-Rashid Mbaziira, Aramanzani Noordin Higenyi alias Taata Abdullazack, Yusuf Mugerwa alias Wilson, Bruhan Balyejusa alias Jimmy Masiga Ogutu, Joshua Magezi Kyambadde alias Abdu Rahman, Jibril Kalyango alias Abu Aisha, Yusuf Siraje Nyanzi alias Jimmy Ssentamu and Shafik Kasujja. 

The group is part of the 23 suspects that were charged with Kaweesi murder and later committed to the High Court on October 23, 2017 to stand trial.

Their release on bail means that all the suspects in regard to Kaweesi murder are now out on bail as the investigation on the exact killers of Kaweesi goes on.

However, they were further remanded until today to enable them furnish in court the necessary documents like the national identity cards required as part of their bail conditions.

Kaweesi was killed in cold blood on March 17, 2017 in the city suburbs of Kulambiro in Nakawa division together with his body guard Kenneth Erau and driver Geoffrey Mambewo.

The charges

Prosecution alleges that the group between January and March 2017 in diverse districts of Kampala, Wakiso, Mukono, Jinja, Iganga, Bugiri, Busia, Tororo and others still at large for purposes of influencing government involved themselves in complicity of murder of Kaweesi.

It further alleges that the accused rendered support to known members of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), rebel group in executing terrorism Acts in the country.

Last year, their co-accused were released on mandatory bail by Nakawa Chief Magistrate's Court pending investigations in their case.

They are Umar Maganda, Ahmed Ssenfuka, Sheikh Musa Ntende, Hassan Tumusiime, Ibrahim Kissa, Hamid Magambo, Abdul-Majid Ojerere, Sauda Ayub, Osman Muhammed Omar, Asuman Mugoya, Ibrahim Ssemwanga alias superman and Swaleh Ddamulira.    They are slated to appear before Nakawa Court on April 23.