Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Uganda Monitor
Published on 2024-03-05 14:20:56
The Nabweru Chief Magistrates Court has taken a significant step by committing 11 opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) party supporters who are facing terrorism charges to the International Crimes Division of the High Court. Among the suspects are nine men who were initially arrested on May 08, 2023, and two others who were added to the charge sheet on February 20, 2024. The individuals facing charges include Abdul Katumba (25), Abdallah Katumba (30), Muhamudu Kalyango, Hamidu Ssekidde (30), Sulaiman Male (39), Wilber Kairugara (26), Hamidu Muyodi (29), Issa Makumbi (39), Umar Magala (39), Rashid Ssebagala, and Salim Ssekabembe.
The Nabweru Chief Magistrate, Ms. Sarah Namusobya, forwarded the case file to the High Court on March 5 for the commencement of the hearing. However, the state mentioned that they are still in the process of gathering enough evidence to substantiate the charges against the suspects. Ms. Shamim Malende, a defense lawyer for some of the suspects and the Kampala Woman Member of Parliament, informed the Monitor that the court has agreed to transfer the file to the higher court.
With the case now moved to the High Court, Ms. Malende and the defense team intend to apply for bail for their clients. They are awaiting a hearing date from the International Crimes Division (ICD) to proceed with their bail application. Ms. Malende emphasized the need for a prompt resolution of the case and urged the state to expedite the process to grant bail to the defendants, especially considering their health conditions that require medical attention.
The arrests of the NUP supporters last year were made by a joint operation involving the police, army, and other security agencies. The allegations against the suspects included the manufacturing of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and engaging in terrorist activities that posed a threat to public safety. The gravity of these charges underscores the importance of a thorough and fair legal process to determine the guilt or innocence of the accused individuals.
As the legal proceedings move to the High Court, the defense team led by Ms. Malende is prepared to advocate for the rights of their clients and pursue the necessary legal avenues to secure bail and ensure a fair trial. The commitment of the court to transfer the case to a higher jurisdiction reflects a step towards a more comprehensive and impartial review of the charges against the NUP supporters. The coming days will shed more light on the progress of the case and the potential outcomes for the accused individuals.
Read the original article on Uganda Monitor
