KAMPALA– Five people who were acquitted by the High Court in 2016 on charges of detonating bombs in Kampala in 2010 have on Monday been arraigned before the International Crimes Division of the High Court on fresh charges of terrorism and conspiracy to commit terror acts .
The suspects include former Imam of Ntinda mosque Dr. Ismeal Kalule who is out on bail, Abubakar Batemyeto, a Kenyan Human Rights activist Owadi Omar Wadi and 2 brothers; Yahaya Mbuthia Suleiman and Muhamad Hamid Suleiman whose brother Suleiman Nyamandondo was convicted of transporting the bombs to Kampala.
The group appeared in court for a pre-trial session presided over by a single Judge Margaret Oguli-Oumo in which state prosecutor Lino Anguzu informed court that all evidence and exhibits intended to be used at trial have been disclosed to the Defence lawyers.
The judge also ordered the prison authorities to present one of the accused Mbuthia at the heart institute for medical examination as sought by his lawyer Mr Evans Ochieng.
The five were immediately re-arrested in 2016 with in the premises of Kampala High Court after the then presiding judge Alfonse Owiny Dollo had cleared them of terrorism, murder and attempted murder on grounds that Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had filed to connect them to the attacks in which over 70 who were watching the World cup final match at Kyadondo Rugby grounds and Ethopian village restaurant in Kabalagala lost their lives.
According to the new charges sanctioned by the DPP Mike Chibita, the suspect while in custody at Luzira prison were found in possession of literature and other material which is aimed at promoting terrorism.
They are said to have committed the offenses between months of February 2012 and March 2016 at Jinja, however it is the time the suspects were undergoing trial on the first charges and were in incarceration at Luzira Prison.
Court has now adjourned the case to the 4th/September 4, 2018 to hear if DPP’s evidence will sustain the charges at trial.
