Uganda: Court says Sheikh Kamoga and 13 others have case to answer

Kampala, Uganda.

Court has ruled that leader of the Tabliq Sect Sheikh Yunus Kamoga and 13 other Muslim clerics have a case to answer in regard to systematic murders of rival Muslim leaders.

The ruling means that all the accused persons will undergo full trial and defend themselves against the charges.

While reading out the ruling that took about five minutes, Justice Ezekiel Muhanguzi, the lead judge on the three-member panel of the High Court’s International Crimes Division, said there was sufficient evidence to warranteach of the accused persons to defend themselves in the case.

 “The prosecution has established a prema-facie case against each of them in respect of each of the four counts. Consequently, court passing on section 73 (2) of the Trial and Indictments Act, hereby informs the accused persons of their rights to give evidence on his or her own behalf, make unsworn statement or to call witnesses in his or her defence. That is the ruling,” the judge said.

After the ruling, the defence lawyers represented by Fred Muwema, told court that they needed more time to consult their clients on how they would give their defence.

Court adjourned the trial to April 25 for the accused to defend themselves. They were returned to Luzira and Kigo prisons for further remand.

It’s alleged that the 14 suspects masterminded the coordinated assassinations  of rival Muslim leaders in diverse places and on separate dates about two years ago. They are charged with murder, terrorism and attempted murder.

Source: Daily Monitor.