– Advertisement –
The confirmation of charges against eight men indicted for the murder of former Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIGP) Andrew Felix Kaweesi has been adjourned to April 15. The decision was made by pre-trial judge Alice Komuhangi of the International Crimes Division of the High Court in Kampala due to some defense lawyers failing to file their submissions as required by law.
The accused individuals include Yusuf Siraje Nyanzi alias Jimmy Ssentamu, Abdul-Rashid Mbaziira, Aramanzani Noordin Higenyi alias Taata Abdullazack, Yusuf Mugerwa alias Wilson, Bruhan Balyejusa alias Jimmy Masiga Ogutu, Joshua Magezi Kyambadde alias Abdu Rahman, and Jibril Kalyango alias Abu Aisha. Additionally, the eighth suspect, Shafik Kasujja, has absconded bail and is suspected to have joined Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) combatants in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The heinous murder of Kaweesi occurred on March 17, 2017, in the city suburbs of Kulambiro in the Nakawa division, where Kaweesi, along with his bodyguard Kenneth Erau and driver Geoffrey Mambewo, were brutally killed. Subsequent investigations led to the arrest and charging of several suspects, with only eight being committed for trial based on evidence linking them to the murder.
According to evidence presented in court by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Mbaziira confessed to his involvement in planning and executing Kaweesi’s murder. Furthermore, Mbaziira revealed to the police that the assassination was ordered by leaders of the ADF rebel group, as Kaweesi was purportedly on their hit list of government officials. Additionally, Mbaziira’s co-accused confessed to being members of the ADF, a group infamous for various atrocities, including the Kichwamba student murders in 1998.
– Advertisement –
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has disclosed the evidence it intends to rely on to prosecute the accused, contingent upon the court’s determination of a prima facie case against them. A prima facie case signifies the establishment of a legally required rebuttable presumption. As per the rules of the International Crimes Division of the High Court, all cases undergo pre-trial assessment to evaluate the weight of prosecution evidence before trial sanctioning. At this juncture, the pre-trial judge holds the authority to discharge the accused if the evidence is deemed insufficient.
The prosecution alleges that the accused, along with others still at large, were involved in Kaweesi’s murder between January and March 2017 across various districts for the purpose of influencing the government. Moreover, they are accused of providing support to Balyejusa and Ogutu, alleged ADF members, in executing terrorist acts in the country.
Related
– Advertisement –
