Thirty-six members of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Katonga faction, who were deported from Kenya, have been charged with terrorism and are currently held in Luzira Prison. The group, comprising 33 men and 3 women, was arrested in Kisumu, Kenya, on allegations of providing and receiving terrorist training.
The accused include notable individuals such as Simon Rutarondwa, the Director of Community Support Initiative for Refugees in Nairobi; Dr. George Okello Ekwaro; lawyer Paul Kawanguzi; businessman Nasur Din Basalirwa; and Samuel Makokha. They were brought before Nakawa Court Chief Magistrate Erias Kakooza on Monday. During the hearing, Kakooza informed the court that it does not have jurisdiction over the case. As a result, the accused were remanded until August 13, 2024, when they will return for a case mention.
The suspects were initially detained by Kenyan police on Tuesday last week and were subsequently handed over to Ugandan authorities, specifically the Internal Security Organisation (ISO), on Friday.
The FDC Katonga faction, however, contends that their members were in Kenya for leadership training, not for any terrorist activities. This situation arises amidst widespread protests in Kenya over the controversial Finance Bill, which has sparked significant unrest. The protests have led to substantial property damage and even the partial destruction of the Kenyan Parliament.
