Sheikhs charged with treason

Mar 25, 2004

TWO Muslim sheikhs and five other suspects were yesterday charged with treason.

By Maurice Okore
TWO Muslim sheikhs and five other suspects were yesterday charged with treason.

Sheikh Ismail Jjuuko Nakibinge and sheikh Twaha Kakande were arrested last week by the anti-terrorism squad in connection with the recruitment of rebels for the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) operating in western Uganda.

Other suspects included Rashid Khamis Tulimukabi, Hajara Nabagereka, Abdu Mwebe Lukwebe, Fred Zaake Musubaho and Musa Abubakari Ntende.

Spotting long unkempt beards, the sheikhs appeared before Buganda Road Court Magistrate Emmanuel Baguma, together with an informer of the Cheiftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI).

They were not required to enter any plea since the offence can only be heard by the High Court.

“This court can only read out the charges for you. Wait for the time you appear before the High Court if you to have anything to say. But for now you are required to keep quiet and listen,” the magistrate said.

Prisons and Police personnel dressed in bulletproof vests and helmets escorted the suspects to Kigo Prisons under heavy escort.

Relatives shed tears as their beloved were driven off.

Prosecutor Elly Womanya said the accused contrived a plot to overthrow the Government of Uganda by force of arms by recruiting rebels for the ADF.

The suspects also allegedly mobilised logistics and intelligence information for the rebel group.

Womanya said the shiekhs failed to report to any authority the plot to overthrow the Government.

He said the suspects committed the offences in the districts of Busia, Bugiri, Iganga, Kampala and Kasese between July 2003 and March 2004.

The State informed the court that inquiries into the matter were still going on and asked for an adjournment.

The suspects will reappear in court on April 13.

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});