The panel of four justices—Susan Okalany, Michael Elubu, Stephen Mubiru, and Dr. Andrew Bashaija—on Monday ruled against releasing Mukulu and two of his co-accused, Muhammad Matovu and Omar Abdallah Mutuka.
Appearing physically in court for the first time in four years under tight security, Mukulu addressed a panel of four justices and described his detention as cruel and degrading. He said he is confined in a 2.5 square meter cell with a small ventilator located six meters above, poor air circulation, and an overwhelming presence of mosquitoes.
Mukulu, alongside Muhammed Matovu and Omara Abdullah Mutuka, contends that the offenses for which they are currently being tried were not listed in the extradition treaty Uganda presented to Tanzania when requesting their transfer. Mukulu was extradited following a July 15, 2015, request by the Ugandan government to the Tanzanian Attorney General.
The amendment was expected to be presented before Lady Justice Alice Komuhangi Khauka following the death of one of the accused, former Kawempe North MP Muhammad Ssegirinya, who passed away on January 9, 2025.
The suspects allegedly used deception, abuse of power, and fraud to recruit children below 18 years for purposes of sexual exploitation, forced labor, and use in armed conflict.
The six suspects - Kagugube Mohammad, Walusimbi Kamada, Kisambira Silman, Abdul Aziz Ramathan Dunku, Habib Ramathan Marjan, and Wampa Muzaifa alias Kanaabe - face charges of terrorism, murder, attempted murder, aggravated robbery, supporting terrorist organizations, terrorism financing, and belonging to a terrorist organization.
Throughout his career, he found himself entangled in a series of intense legal battles, from inciting violence cases almost always, to winning election petitions to terrorism charges, which tested his resolve and resilience. Despite these challenges, Ssegirinya remained a vocal advocate for the rights of the marginalized and oppressed, inspiring a generation of Ugandans to stand up for what they believe in.
He asked the court to first deal with the issue of the representation of the accused persons before he could update the Court on the progress of the matter.
The Court was told that the accused individuals, along with others still at large, engaged in terrorist activities between 2018 and May 2024 in various regions of Uganda, including Busia, Busoga, Central Uganda, and the Rwenzori Region.
Magufuli appeared before the Buganda Road Chief Magistrate Ronald Kayizzi on Monday, where he was charged with supporting a terrorist organization, financing terrorism, and belonging to or professing to belong to a terrorist organization.
Mumbere claims the Personal Pistol (Israel make) was bought by him by President of Uganda General Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and 30 rounds of ammunition; two magazines and a Pistol case.
"Accused Number 3 John Masagajje complained that the deposit of the blood money he got was spent on a witch doctor to tie the case, and those that A3 revealed this to will be called to testify as witnesses," says the Prosecution.
The case started in 2021 with 19 people but the DPP first withdrew charges against all the women suspects in December 2023 leaving the case with only 14 people who have been sieved by court now to only remain with only nine for trial
The discontinuation of charges against all the ladies in this case now leaves 14 men on file to answer to charges of Terrorism and Belonging to a Terrorist Organisation, the Allied Democratic Forces -ADF.
The seven entered a plea bargain agreeing to have had links with the Allied Democratic Force rebel group (ADF) operations in Wakiso, Masaka, Rakai, Kyotera, Buikwe, and the Busoga.
On Wednesday afternoon, Justice Richard Wejuli Wabwire gave the order directing prison doctors to examine the suspects and furnish his court with a report of their findings within 21 days. This came up during the pretrial hearing when the prime suspect Muwonge complained to the Court about how he was tortured, coerced, and forced to sign documents confessing to the crimes against him.
The suspect John Mugera was charged alongside Jackson Kanyike, Bull Wamala and Mike Sserwadda on charges of murder, terrorism, and aiding and abetting terrorism. The charges stem from the wave of machete killings that occurred in the greater Masaka region two years ago, resulting in the death of more than 20 people and the injury of scores of others.
On Wednesday, when the matter came up for pretrial hearing before Justice Richard Wejuli Wabwire, the Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Thomas Jatiko said the police file is at CID headquarters and the Prosecution has not yet received it since the case was transferred to ICD.
The order was issued this morning by Justice Susan Okalany following a request by Kiyemba's lawyer Geoffrey Turyamusiima, who observed that his client did not seem to be in good mental capacity. He said that over time, he has noticed that Kiyemba's speech is uncoordinated.
