Muslim cleric in fresh July 2010 terror charges

By Andante Okanya

Muslim cleric Sheikh Ismael Kalule, in and out of prison on charges of purported terrorism, has again been charged afresh over the July 11, 2010 twin terror bombings of Lugogo and Ethiopian Village in Kampala.

At the High Court in Kampala on Tuesday, state prosecution in the terror case presented the amended indictment report to include Kalule as part of the 13 accused.

A total of 76 people perished in the two incidents that occurred at Kyadondo Rugby Club and the Ethiopian Village Restaurant.

Revelers were watching the World Cup final game between Spain and Holland at the tournament played in South Africa.

The third bomb that had been planted at the Makindye House on the same day was defused before it exploded.

Initially in 2010, Dr. Kalule, 44, was one of the suspects charged over the twin bombings. But in September 2011, he was freed after the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) withdrew the charges against him.

However, last year on April 30 Kalule was arrested from his home in the city suburb of Kiwatule. He was purportedly found in possession of literature on how to manufacture bombs.

Kalule was charged with terrorism, and this year on January 28, he was committed for trial in relation to the twin bombings.

On conviction, the maximum penalty of terrorism is death. However, this is subject to the decision of the trial judge.

The prosecutors are principal state attorney Lino Anguzu and senior principal state attorney Joan Kagezi.

The 12 other accused are Hussein Hassan Agad, Idris Magondu, Isa Ahamed Luyima, Hassan Haruna Luyima, Abubakari Batematyo, Yahya Suleiman Mbuthia.

Also included are Habib Suleiman Njoroge, Omar Awadh Omar, Mohammad Hamid Sulaiman, Seleman Hijar Nyamandondo, Mohammad Ali Mohammad, and Muzafar Luyima.
 

Terror suspects of the 2010 bomb attacks in Kampala stand in the dock of High Court Kampala. (Photo credit: Peter Busomoke)

The trial judge, Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo, read the charges to Kalule. With the exception of Muzafar Luyima, Kalule and the others are accused of terrorism, contrary to Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) 2002.

They are also battling charges of murder, contrary to Section 188 and 189 of Uganda's Penal Code Act. Each is charged with 76 counts for the dead.

Additionally, they are also accused of attempted murder, with each facing ten counts for the injured.

Also on Tuesday, prosecution introduced a new charge of 'Belonging to a terror organisation' contrary to Section 11of ATA.

Kalule alone is charged with aiding and abetting terrorism contrary to Section 8 of the Anti- Terrorism Act. He denied all the charges. "I am not guilty. I know nothing about what happened.".

Equally, the other 11 pleaded "not guilty" to the charge of belonging to a terror outfit.

Muzafar Luyima is charged with 'being an accessory after the fact', contrary to Section 29 of the ATA.

The defence lawyers are Caleb Alaka, Julius Galisonga, Henry Kunya, Francis Onyango, Evans Ochieng, and Annette Badda. Hearing continues.

Kalule in brief

• He studied at Kololo High School before proceeding to Pakistan in 1990 to study Pharmacy.

• Upon return home, he opened a pharmacy under the name Ophthalmic Clinic in Old Kampala.
• He is a devout Muslim, with a following among the Muslim faithful who reside in Kampala.