HIGH COURT, KAMPALA: The suspected supreme Commander of the Allied Democratic Forces Jamilu Mukulu has refused to take plea on charges of terrorism.
This was before a panel of three Judges of the International Crimes Division of the High Court which has formally started hearing Mukulu’s case and 37 others inside Luzira Maximum Security prison.
The accused persons face a string of charges related to terrorism, murder, aggravated robbery, attempted murder and being a member of a terrorist group.
However the Justices read the charge of terrorism to all the accused persons and they denied it.
But when they reached Mukulu who is number 19 on the list of the accused persons, he declined to take plea arguing that he only wanted to take plea on those offenses under which he was extradited for from Tanzania.
Mukulu was extradited from Tanzania specifically to answer to seven counts of murder but after reaching in Uganda, the Directorate of Public Prosecutions instituted charges of terrorism and belonging to a terrorist group following the murder of a number of Muslim clerics.
“I cannot plead to the charge that was not included in the extradition documents”, said Mukulu.
Mukulu and his group are also accused of murdering Muslim clerics Sheikh Yunus Abubaker Mandanga, and the top Shia Cleric Dakitoor Muwaya who was gunned down under his leadership before his group reportedly attacked Bugiri police station and killed four police officers. The officers are Karim Tenywa, Julius Owori, John Stephen Owori, Muzamir Babale and LC3 Chairperson Tito Okware.
The accused were arrested from various places in Uganda and Tanzania between 2014 and 2015 on charges dating back to 1998 when suspected ADF rebels attacked Kichwamba Technical Institute and killed more than 80 students.
The other accused persons are; Abdallah Sharif Ali Salim alias Mukyotala, Musa Nabangi, Adam Diin Bashiri alias Wabula, Sheikh Ahamed Rashid Wasiga, Cpl. Alex Martin Engwau, Sgt. John Owori, Sheikh Ibrahim Badru Wanjala, Amis Adam, Abdul Malik Kabaale, Muzahamu Ndifuna and Ibrahim Kyessa. Others are Yakubu Kyessa, Muhammad Muruya, Abdallah Waniala, Abduswabul Kimbugwe, Muhammad Mbuya, Muhammad Kiryagana, Abdurahamani Muyaga, Muhammad Matovu, Omar Abdallah Mutuka, Amis Sowedi, Zaidi Kambo, Musa Kaala, Mansuudi Kisambira, Isa Kayira, Hassan Wasswa, Abdallah Kirwani, Daniel Wanyama, Abdul Ddungu, Robert Wandera, and Umayiya Kikomeko.
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