A month after his extradition from Zambia to Uganda, 31-year-old Swalleh Abubaker, known by several aliases including Mupeta and Dog City, appeared before Chief Magistrate Ronald Kayizzi at Buganda Road Chief Magistrates Court on Monday. Abubaker, identified as a businessman, faces charges related to terrorism.
Accompanied by co-accused Sulaiman Nsubuga, also known as Ibrahim Nkata or Muzee Lweza, who was unable to appear due to incarceration on separate firearm charges, Abubaker is charged with terrorism financing, supporting a terrorist organization, and belonging to a terrorist organization.
According to the prosecution, Abubaker and Nsubuga, along with accomplices still at large, operated between 2018 and April 2024 across Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, Zambia, and South Africa. They allegedly mobilized funds, procured digital watches, power banks, and other supplies, recruited individuals, and facilitated their transfer to the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) in eastern DRC. These actions were believed to support or instigate acts of terrorism.
Chief Magistrate Kayizzi prohibited Abubaker from commenting on the charges, citing their seriousness as capital offenses under the jurisdiction of the High Court, which will handle any bail applications. State attorneys Joan Keko and Ivan Kyazze informed the court that investigations are ongoing and requested a production warrant for Nsubuga’s appearance.
Abubaker was remanded until July 16, 2024, when the case is set to be mentioned, and a production warrant was issued for Nsubuga. Abubaker’s case adds to a history of individuals extradited to Uganda on terrorism charges, including Jamal Kiyimba extradited from Sudan in 2021, and Jamil Mukulu extradited from Tanzania in 2015, both linked to the ADF. Kiyimba remains in remand at Luzira Maximum Security Prison, while Mukulu awaits trial after nearly a decade on remand, facing charges of murder, treason, and terrorism in Uganda’s International Crimes Division and Criminal Division of the High Court.
