Terrorism suspects further remanded

CRIME 

Thirteen people including a woman, accused of terrorism, have further been remanded to Luzira Prison.

The remand was prompted by state prosecutor Christine Apolot, who informed Nakawa Chief Magistrate's Court that investigations on the matter are still on-going.

"I pray that you adjourn the case to another date to enable us complete investigations," she requested court presided over by Grade One Magistrate Ponsiano Odwori.

But before Odwori adjourned the matter, Mariam Kasujja, the wife to the late Abdul Kateregga who was killed on suspicion of murdering the former District Police Commander (DPC) Muhammed Kirumira complained that she was being tortured in Prison.

On September 8, 2018 Kirumira was shot near his residence in Bulenga, Wakiso district. He was later rushed to Rubaga Hospital in Kampala, where he was pronounced dead.

Also accused Majid Noor Ismail Sulaiman Ssebowa, also the Imam of Kalerwe, revealed to court that he and his co-accused were tortured that is why his health is deteriorating.

"On October 12, 2018, with my face wrapped with a black cloth, I was driven to unknown place, where I was beaten, my beard pulled and I was not allowed to ease myself," Ssebowa claims.

He told court that the torture took place as they were being forced to accept the charges.

 "My eyes, legs and stomach are paining and I am not receiving proper treatment at Luzira medical center," he claims.

The court also heard that accused Hamza Mwebe has never been brought to court to answer his charges.

In reply, prosecutor Apolot denied the allegations, saying that she has never received information on the torture of these suspects.

"The suspects have no proof that they have been tortured and that Prisons have failed to treat them," she said.

The magistrate has directed prosecution to investigate claims of torture in Prison cells and being kept in unknown destinations and give court the report on the day the accused return to court.

He also ordered Luzira Prisons to give the accused proper medical attention or else take them to Mulago if they cannot handle.

The accused are battling two counts including belonging to a terrorist organisation contrary to Section (1) (a) and (3) of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 2002.

Prosecution alleges that the accused and others still at large between 2015 and 2018 in diverse areas of Kampala, Wakiso, Masaka, Rakai, Kyotera, Buikwe and Busoga region belonged or professed to belong to Allied Democratic Front (ADF) rebel group, which carried out many killings in the country and its neighbors.

They are also accused of aiding, abetting or financing or harbouring acts to terrorism, where they rendered support to ADF while knowing or having reason to believe that the support will be applied or used for or in connection with the preparation, commission and instigation of acts of terrorism.

Background

It will be noted onOctober 1 2018, 13 suspects were arrested by the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) in connection with the murder of former DPC of Buyende Muhammed Kirumira on 8th September in Bulenga Wakiso District.

The suspect included Jamil Muwonge, Kaweesi Andrew, Kavuma Ibrahim, Ahamed Ssebuwufu, Mariam Kasu jja, Mugoya Uthman, Kimuli Luutu, Juma Swabaru Sekiti, Hamza Mwebe, Ssebowa Sulaiman Ismael, Kaaya Daniel, Ssewanyana and Sulaiman Ssenfuka. The case was adjourned to March 12 2018 2019 for mention