Jamil Mukulu gives up on bail

COURT

KAMPALA - Former Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebel leader Jamil Mukulu indicted with several counts of murder, terrorism and aggravated robbery has withdrawn his bail application.  

The 56-year old Mukulu had sought for bail pending trial but his lawyers Anthony Wameli and Geoffrey Turyamusiima on Thursday told court presided over by High Court Judge Susan Okalany that he had instructed them to withdraw it. 

"My Lord, this application is coming up for hearing and we were served with state objection yesterday afternoon. This morning we had an opportunity to talk to our client via zoom technology and he has instructed us to withdraw the application," Wameli submitted.  

Mukulu's lawyers did not advance any reason for withdrawing the application but last month Mukulu asked Okalany to recuse herself from the matter alleging that she is biased against Muslims. 

"I am not satisfied with you handling my case because you are anti-Muslim. Some time back you said you were afraid that Muslims wanted to kill you and it was captured in one of the local newspapers. You are a Christian and I am a Muslim and you cannot be fair in handling my bail application," Mukulu argued. 

Mukulu's arrest  

Mukulu was arrested in Tanzania in 2015 and extradited to Uganda for trial. On December 29, 2016, he was charged at Jinja Magistrate Court and later committed to the High Court to stand trial.  

He is battling the charges together with Abdallah Sharif Ali Salim, Cpl. Alex Martin Engwau, Sgt. John Owori, Sheikh Ibrahim Badru Wanjala, Amis Adam, Abdul Malik Kabaale, Muzahamu Ndifuna, Ibrahim Kyessa, Yakubu Kyessa, Muhammad Muruya, and Abdallah Waniala.
Others are Abduswabul Kimbugwe, Muhammad Mbuya, Muhammad Kiryagana, Abdurahamani Muyaga, Muhammad Matovu, Omar Abdallah Mutuka, Amis Sowedi, Zaidi Kambo, Musa Kaala, Mansuudi Kisambira, Isa Kayira, Hassan Waswa, Abdallah Kirwani, Daniel Wanyama, Abdul Ddungu, Robert Wandera and Umayiya Kikomeko.    

Who is Mukulu?   

Mukulu was born on April 17, 1964 to Lutakome Sserwada and Aisha Nakiyemba of Ntoke village in Kayunga district.  

He was born a Christian but later converted to Islam.  

Mukulu was among the Muslims of the Tabliq sector that were arrested in 1991 following a deadly attack at UMSC headquarters in Old Kampala.  

They were remanded to Luzira prisons from where they are said to have hatched a plot to overthrow the Government.  

Among their memorable alleged attack was in June 1998 in which over 80 students are said to have been burnt into ashes at Kichwamba Technical College in Kabarole district.