Kaweesi murder suspects pre-trial hearing pushed to July 21

KAMPALA - The International Crimes Division of the High Court had deferred to July 21 the pre-trial of eight men accused of complicity in the murder former Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIGP) Andrew Felix Kaweesi.

It followed a request by Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Lino Anguzu who asked court for three weeks to prepare their evidence against the accused. Anguzu appeared together with state attorney Marion Ben-Bella.

"The matter is coming up for a status conference. We, however, request court for some time to allow us make full disclosure of the evidence to the defence lawyers," Anguzu submitted.

Defence lawyers Anthony Wameli, Geoffrey Turyamusiima and Stephen Ssenkeezi did not object to the adjournment, prompting the trial Judge Duncan Gaswaga to adjourn the case until July 21.

Kaweesi was killed on March 17, 2017, in the city suburbs of Kulambiro in Nakawa division together with his bodyguard Kenneth Erau and driver Geoffrey Mambewo.

He was murdered a few meters away from his residence while heading to Uganda Christian University in Mukono for a meeting.

A total of 22 suspects were arraigned in court following his gruesome murder but only eight were committed to the High Court to stand trial. 

They are Abdul-Rashid Mbaziira, Aramanzani Noordin Higenyi alias Taata Abdullazack, Yusuf Mugerwa alias Wilson, Bruhan Balyejusa alias Jimmy Masiga Ogutu, Joshua Magezi Kyambadde alias Abdu Rahman, Jibril Kalyango alias Abu Aisha, Yusuf Siraje Nyanzi alias Jimmy Ssentamu and Shafik Kasujja. 

Last year, High Court judge Lydia Mugambe released all of them on bail on the charge of murder.

Mbaziira and Higenyi, however, appeared in court via zoom technology because they are still on remand on the offence of aggravated trafficking in children before Mukono High Court.

DPP says Mbaziira revealed to police that the assassination of Kaweesi was ordered by the rebel Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a terrorist organisation.

Mbaziira allegedly further disclosed that ADF plotted to assassinate top government officials and that Kaweesi was among those of their hit list.  

Upon obtaining information from Mbaziira, the DPP says police tracked down his accomplices.

Prosecution alleges that the group between January and March 2017 in diverse districts of Kampala, Wakiso, Mukono, Jinja, Iganga, Bugiri, Busia, Tororo and others still at large for purposes of influencing government involved themselves in the murder of Kaweesi.

It further alleges the accused used a gun or a deadly weapon and robbed Erau a rifle SMG serial number POL 56-3686844-04683 and a pistol serial number UG.POL 007315.