The trial proceedings for six individuals charged with the attempted murder of Ugandan Works Minister Gen. Katumba Wamala have been postponed due to the absence of head judge Andrew Bashaija, who is currently presiding over another high-profile trial in Gulu district.
Justice Susan Okalany, overseeing the case in the High Court International Crime Division, announced the adjournment on Monday, July 8, 2024. She explained that the absence of Judge Bashaija, who is crucial to the panel, prevented the court from being fully constituted to proceed with the hearing.
The trial delay stems from Judge Bashaija’s commitment to preside over the trial of Thomas Kwoyelo, facing 78 charges related to war crimes and crimes against humanity allegedly committed between 1992 and 2005 in northern Uganda.
“The head of the panel in this case is away in Gulu for the hearing of the Thomas Kwoyelo case. The court is therefore not well constituted. For that reason, the case is adjourned and the next dates will be communicated to the parties in due course. The accused are further remanded until then,” ruled Justice Okalany.
Assisting Justice Okalany on the panel are judges Richard Wejuli and Dr. Winfred Nabisinde.
The accused individuals, namely Muhammad Kagugube, Sirimani Kisambira, Kamada Walusimbi, Huzaifa Wampa, Abdullah Aziz Ramadhan, and Habib Ramadhan Marjan, face a total of 30 counts including attempted murder, murder, and aggravated robbery in connection to various incidents.
The attack on Gen. Katumba Wamala occurred on June 1, 2021, when gunmen on a motorcycle opened fire in Kisaasi Central Zone, Nakawa Division, Kampala. While Gen. Katumba survived with injuries, his daughter Brenda Nantongo and driver Sgt Haruna Kayondo tragically lost their lives.
In addition to the attack on Gen. Katumba, the accused are implicated in multiple other incidents including murders and robberies at Cheap Hardware in Nansana, City Shoppers Supermarket in Kanyanya, and Denovo Bakery in Kalerwe.
According to the prosecution’s indictment, these incidents involved the deaths of several individuals and significant monetary losses.
Evidence presented by the prosecution suggests that the group was involved in transferring stolen funds to an Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) camp in the Democratic Republic of Congo through their alleged leader, Hussein Lubwama.
Hussein Lubwama, identified as the mastermind behind the criminal activities, was killed in November 2021 during a joint security operation in Nabweru, Wakiso district.
The group faces charges related to terrorism, financing terrorism, and affiliation with the ADF, spanning multiple locations in Uganda and eastern Democratic Republic of Congo between March 2017 and June 2021.
