Kisenyi Al shabaab terror linked case for January 5

By Andante Okanya 

KAMPALA - The case of the 10 al-shabaab-linked terror suspects arrested in September in the city suburb of Kisenyi, has been pushed to January 5.

On Friday, state prosecutor Edward Muhumuza informed court presided over by Grade One Magistrate Simon Ziruntuusa, of the development. The suspects, nine Somalis and a Kenyan, had appeared in court for mention of their terror case.

Muhumuza requested for an adjournment, saying the State was still probing the suspects. He said the findings would subsequently be compiled in an indictment report to be used during trial at the High Court.

"Inquiries are not complete. We pray that the accused stay remanded to enable the state prepare committal papers for trial at the High Court," Muhumuza said.

They are battling charges of aiding and abetting terrorism contrary to Section 8 of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 2002. On conviction, the penalty is death.

Additionally, they are charged with the offence of belonging to a terrorist organisation contrary to Section 11(1) of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 2002.

Richard Rugambwa was present as lawyer for the suspects. The other lawyers David Mushabe and Andrew Manzi, were absent.

Procedurally on completion of the probe, the Police informs the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, which notifies court of the development by formulating an indictment.

The committal papers containing the indictment are then forwarded to the High Court, which has jurisdiction to try the capital offence of terrorism.

The Magistrate's Court only has powers to mention such cases, during which suspects are informed of the progress of the investigations.

The suspects are Mohamed Abdulkdir Hirsi alias Mohamed Abdul Aziz Adan, 31, Abdi Abdullahi Bootan, 26, Hassan Abduwali Mohamoud, 25, Mohammed Ahmed Gele, 28, Yasimin Abdullahi Aden, 20, Hodan Ahmed Dahir, 23, Yusufu Osman Hussein, 29, Abdi Mohamed, 29, and Abdul  Kadir, 24.

The Kenyan national is Mohamed Yusuf Farah, 31. Kisenyi is home to numerous Somali refugees.

The suspects, seemed calm, and smiled at their relatives and friends who filled the court room. When the session ended, the relatives and friends flocked to the holding cells to visit.