JUDICIARY Latest Features

Suspects in the murders of top muslim clerics

The case, in which 32 people are charged with the killing of top muslim clerics in the country, was sent for pre-trial sessions before the\r\nactual hearing can be conducted. This was due to the publication of new rules\r\nthat govern the International Crimes Division of the High Court (ICD) where the\r\ncase is being heard.

The publication of the rules makes them part\r\nof the procedures of the Uganda Court of Judicature. The release of new court\r\nrules was prompted by a demand by the defense lawyers Mr. Ladislaus Rwakafuuzi\r\nand Mr. Fred Muwema for the rules to guide them in handling the case given its\r\nuniqueness.

The trial is interlinked to the Hague-based\r\nInternational Criminal Court (ICC). The rules of the International Criminal\r\nCourt demand that for any case to go onto a full trial, it has to go through a\r\npre-trial session to establish whether there is sufficient evidence requiring\r\nthe case to go onto a full trial or not. \r\nDuring the pre-trial, the two parties are expected to analyze evidence and\r\ndiscuss protection of witnesses.
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\r\nTo that effect, the matter was adjourned to Monday August 15, 2016 when a\r\nsingle Judge Hon. Justice Duncan Gaswaga, will convene and hold a pre-trial\r\nsession as demanded by the rules that govern the court.
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\r\nBut lawyer Mr. Ladislaus Rwakafuzi, argued that some of the issues of whether\r\nthe court has jurisdiction to hear the case, complaints of torture against the\r\naccused persons and failure to declare evidence available by the state can be\r\ndealt with even before the trial. 
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\r\nProsecution alleges that Sheikh Yunus Kamoga, the leader of the Tabliq sect and\r\nseveral others, directed systematic attacks against Shia and Tabliq Muslims, in\r\na wave of attacks in which several clerics were killed.
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\r\nThey include Sheikh Mustafa Bahiga, who was gunned down along Entebbe Road,\r\nSheikh Abdulkadir Muwaya who was killed in Mayuge District and Sheikh Hassan\r\nKirya who was shot at and killed in Bweyogerere, Wakiso District.
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\r\nThe suspects face charges ranging from murder, attempted murder, crimes against\r\nhumanity and terrorism.
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\r\nThe other suspects in this case include; Sheikh Siraje Kawooya, Abdulsalam, Abdulhamid\r\nSematimba, Rashid Jingo, Twaha Sekkitto, Yusuf Kakande alias Abdallah, Sheikh\r\nMurta Mudde Bukenya, Kakim Kinene Muswaswa, Muzamilu Kasawuli, Arafa Sserunjogi\r\nalias Bukenya, Badru Bukenya, Alex Okot, Joseph Olanya, and Amir Kenene.

This article was published by digidafm on 9th August, 2016