Africa’s Great Lakes region has, for decades, been affected by conflict and political instability. Evidence confirms that the illicit exploitation and trade of natural resources remain one of the main causes of this instability.
The suspected who are facing terrorism, murder, and aggravated robbery charges, alongside the suspected ADF Commander Jamilu Mukulu declined to appear before the International Crimes Division of the High Court today on grounds that they did not have any consent to be tried through this method of technology.
State Attorney Jackeline Okwir tabled the DPP’s letter withdrawing the charges against the accused persons before the International Crimes Division Judge David Wangututsi on Thursday afternoon when the matter came up for pre-conferencing.
Court also heard that while using video conferencing, the accused cannot whisper to their lawyers some secrets and that at times, the prison officers mute the microphones if an accused inmate starts talking about issues inside the prisons that are not good
Mukulu who was appearing via video conferencing first started by asking the Judge her name in open court and the Okalany introduced himself to him before he told her that he had two issues to make .
Justice Eva Luswata confirmed the charges against the accused after ascertaining that prosecution has sufficient evidence to sustain 20 charges against them during trial. The charges include among others terrorism, murder, attempted murder, aggravated robbery and their involvement with ADF, a terrorist group.
Kinene was acquitted of terrorism and charges of murder by the International Crimes Division of the High court in 2017. The trial came at the height the killing of Muslim clerics in parts of Kampala and Wakiso, many of who were gunned down by assailants riding on motorcycles.
