The state has disclosed that investigations into the case against Rwenzururu king Charles Wesley Mumbere and 181 of his royal guards have been concluded.
In his submission at Jinja Magistrate’s court today during the mention of this case, the state prosecutor James Muliro said investigations are complete and they are currently working on the committal papers so that the suspects are committed to International Crimes Division (ICD) of the High Court.
”Investigations are complete and we have submitted the committal documents to be drafted by the team from International Crimes Division so that the suspects are committed,” Muliro said.
Mumbere and his guards are charged with 41 counts of treason, terrorism, murder, attempted murder and aggravated robbery. Under the charge of treason, the Rwenzururu king, his guards and others still at large, between the month of March and November 2016 in different places within Kasese and Kabarole districts, allegedly planned to overthrow a lawfully established government by force of arms.
Speaking to the media, the defence lawyers led by Caleb Alaka said they are waiting to see how the 181 suspects are going to be tried in the ICD because it will be the first time in history.
Meanwhile, the relatives of the suspects have appealed to government to transfer the inmates from Jinja to Rwenzori region were they will be able to access them without spending a lot of money.
Maureen Asiimwe, one of the relatives also a resident of Nyamugasani village, Kisinga sub-county in Kasese district, said she spends 100,000 shillings on transport only from Kasese to Jinja every time her father Emanuel Nzangura is being arraigned in court.
Omusinga Charles Wesley Mumbere, his Prime Minister Johnson Tembo Kitsumbire and six juveniles were granted bail though denied access to districts of Kasese, Bundibugyo and Kabarole for fear of interfering with the investigations. The other suspects are being detained IN different prisons including Kirinya Iin Jinja and Luzira in Kampala.
The Jinja Chief magistrate John Francis Kaggwa adjourned the case to May 25 when the suspects are expected to be committed to ICD.
