The High Court’s International Crimes Division (ICD) has slapped fresh charges on fourteen suspects including the Tabliq Muslim sect Amir Sheikh Muhamad Yunus Kamoga who have been battling charges of masterminding attacks against top Muslim clerics across the country.
The suspects today also pleaded not guilty to threatening the lives of Buganda Prince Kassim Nakibinge Kakungulu Deputy Supreme mufti Muhammod Kibaate and Sheikh Haruna Jjemba for either a political, social or religious reason.
While the fourteen sheiks accused of the charges denied them, court confirmed that it’s sufficient to sustain 3 counts including murder, terrorism and attempted murder.
The panel is led by Justice Ezekiel Muhanguzi. Other justices are Jane Kiggundu and Percy Tuhaise.
Prosecution led by Principle State Attorney Lino Anguzu says between December 2013 and June 2014 in districts of Wakiso and Kampala the accused conspired to murder Sheikh Mustafa Bahiga and Sheikh Hassan Kirya.
Kamoga’s co-accused include; Sheikh Siraji Kawooya, Sheikh Murta Mudde Bukenya, Sheikh Fahad Kalungi, Amir Kinene, Hakim Kinene Muswaswa, Katende Yusufu alias Abdallah, Sekayanja Abdulsalam alias Kassim Mulumba, Sematimba Abudulhamid Mubiru, Hamza Kasirye, Twaha Sekitto, Jingo Rashid, Musa Issa Mubiru and Iga George William.
Prosecution alleges that the group with others still at large between December 2014 and January 5, 2015 at Kavule ward Buyemba Mayuge District , Bwebajja and Watuba Matugga Wakiso District with intent to intimidate the public or sections of the Moslem faith and for a political, religious, social or economic aim involved themselves in a systematic way directed attacks towards shia and Tabliq moslems which resulted into murders.
The court then proceeded to appoint and swore in the 3 assessors ; Judith Muhairwe , Ahmed Ddumba and Robert Sseguya Lubega who are mere members of the public with no legal training but will follow the trial from a lay man’s point of view and advise the judges on whether to acquit or convict the accused persons .
The case has been adjourned to tomorrow morning for the prosecution to present its first witness.
