Assessors ask court to acquit Muslim cleric murder suspects

Jul 11, 2017

In their unanimous opinion, the three assessors said prosecution failed to prove many ingredients of the case

 

The International Crimes Division of the High Court has set August 11, 2017 to give its ruling in the case where 14 Muslims of the Tabliq sect are indicted over terrorism and complicity in the murder of Muslim clerics in the country. 

The dates were set on Tuesday after assessors gave their opinion in which they asked the three Judges chaired by Ezekiel Muhanguzi to acquit all accused persons, arguing that prosecution has failed to prove that they participated in the murders. The other judges are Jane Kiggundu and Percy Night Tuhaise. 

In their unanimous opinion, the assessors Ahmed Ddumba, Robert Sseguya Lubega and Judith Muhairwe said prosecution only proved that both Sheikhs Mustafa Bahiga and Hassan Kirya were killed by shooting and their death was unlawful with malice aforethought but failed to prove other ingredients. 

"We advise Court to acquit all the accused persons because prosecution has failed to produce incriminating evidence against them," they suggested. Prosecution produced 36 witnesses in court. 

The assessor's opinion excited the accused persons and their relatives and chanted "Takibir Allah Akbar" (Meaning God is great). 

Prosecution alleged that between December 2014 and June 2015, the accused, with others still at large, conspired premeditatedly to murder Sheikh Mustafa Bahiga and Hassan Kirya. 

It was further alleged that the accused attempted or attacked Prince Kassim Nakibinge, Mahmoud Kibaate, Najib Ssonko, Swidiq Ndaula, and Haruna Jjemba. 

The Accused: Sheikh Siraje Kawooya, Sheikh Muhammad Yunus Kamoga, Sheikh Murta Mudde Bukenya, Sheikh Fahad Kalungi, Amir Kinene, Hakim Kinene Muswaswa, Yusuf Kakande, Sheikh Abdulsalam Sekayanja, Abdulhamid Mubiru Sematimba,Hamza Kasirye,Twaha Ssekitto,Rashid Jjingo, Musa Issa Mubiru, and George William Iga.

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