The High Court’s International Crimes Division, presided over by Justice Alice Komuhangi Khaukha has confirmed charges of Terrorism, Murder, Attempted Murder, Aggravated Robbery, Rendering Support to a Terrorist Organization, Terrorist Financing and Belonging to a Terrorist Organization against six suspects in connection with the June 2021 shooting of Ugandan senior military officer, Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala.
Gen Katumba Wamala at scene where the shooting happened. (Courtesy photo)
The accusations stem from events that occurred on June 1, 2021, between 8:00 am and 9:00 am at Kisaasi Central Zone in Kampala District. The prosecution contended that during this time frame, the accused persons orchestrated the fatal shooting of Nantongo Brenda, the daughter of Gen. Katumba Wamala, along with his driver, Sgt. Haruna Kayondo. General Edward Katumba Wamala and Mucunguzi Boniface were also injured during the attack.
The incident unfolded as General Katumba Wamala departed his residence in Bulabira Village, Najjera Kiira Division in Wakiso District, traveling in his official vehicle with his daughter Brenda Nantongo Katumba, the driver, and a bodyguard, Sgt. Khaled Kuboit. They were ambushed on Kisota Road in Kisasi by two assailants on motorcycles, resulting in the immediate deaths of Brenda and the driver.
Additionally, the accused face charges relating to a prior incident on September 16, 2017, at Denovo Bakery in Kalerwe-Kawempe Division, Kampala District, where two police officers were killed and several others injured during a robbery. The assailants made off with a substantial sum of money and firearms. Moreover, on April 27, 2019, at City Shoppers Supermarket in Kanyanya-Mpererwe, Kawempe Division, Kampala District, gunmen killed a security guard, injured bystanders, and robbed the cashier and a mobile money operator. Similarly, on May 29, 2019, at Cheap General Hardware in Nansana East 1 Zone, Wakiso District, the accused perpetrated another attack resulting in fatalities, injuries, and substantial theft.
The identities of the perpetrators behind the Denovo Bakery, City Shoppers Supermarket, and Cheap General Hardware attacks had remained undisclosed until 2021 when suspects linked to the attempted murder of General Katumba Wamala were apprehended by security forces.
Following a thorough assessment of evidence presented by the Prosecution and submissions by both Prosecution and Defense, the Pre-Trial Court determined that sufficient grounds exist to support all charges against six accused individuals to wit; Walusimbi Kamada alias Mudinka, Kisambira Silman Ayuub known as Sirimani, Mukwasi, or Koja, Abdulaziz Ramanthan Dunku, Habib Ramathan Marjan, and Wampa Muzaifa, alias Kanaabe, thereby advancing their case to a Trial Panel for further proceedings.
However, the court found the evidence insufficient to sustain all the charges against Serubula Hussein and Nyanzi Yusuf, leading to their eventual discharge.
The Prosecution team handling the case includes Lino Anguzu, Assistant DPP/Head, International Crimes Department, Lillian Omara, Chief State Attorney, Joseph Kyomuhendo, Chief State Attorney, Jacquelyn Okui, Senior State Attorney, and Marion Ben Bella, Senior State Attorney in the Office of the DPP.
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