Kampala, Uganda| Yusuf Nyanzi, a man who has been in and out of Luzira Prison for eight years facing charges in three significant cases, has been cleared of the attempted murder charge of Works and Transport Minister General Katumba Wamala by the International Crimes Division of the High Court.
Nyanzi, along with Hussein Sserubula, was released after the court found the evidence against them in the charges of terrorism and the murder of Katumba’s daughter Brenda Nantongo Wamala, and his driver Haruna Kayondo, as well as the attempted murder of Gen Katumba himself, to be insufficient. Their release was ordered by Justice Alice Komuhangi and announced by Registrar Juliet Harty Hatanga.
However, the same court has upheld charges of murder, attempted murder, terrorism, aggravated robbery, and association with a terrorist organization against six other individuals: Muhammad Kagugube, Sirimani Kisambira, Abdullah Aziz Ramadhan, Dunka, Kamada Walusimbi, Habib Ramadhan Marjan, and Huzaifah Wampa. These charges are related to various murders and robberies in the Kampala Metropolitan Area.
In 2021, the Nakawa Magistrates Court charged the accused with five offenses, including the attempted murder of General Katumba Wamala, his bodyguard Sergeant Khalid Kuboit, and Boniface Mucunguzi.
The incident, which took place on June 1, 2021, on Kisota road in Kisaasi, a suburb of Kampala, led to the tragic deaths of Brenda Nantongo, General Katumba Wamala’s daughter, and his driver, Sergeant Haruna Kayondo. The court has also upheld murder charges against the six accused, alleging their involvement in various crimes.
On May 29, 2019, at Cheap General Hardware in Nansana, Wakiso district, the suspects, along with others, are alleged to have caused the deaths of Jimmy Atukuru, Frank Anania, Abaho Frank Mutsinda, and Amim Bugembe. They are also accused of stealing 385 million Shillings from Tedrin Nalule, the cashier.
On April 27, 2019, at City Shoppers Supermarket in Kanyanya, Mpererwe, Kawempe division, Kampala district, the accused are alleged to have murdered Burton Okoti and attempted to murder Jalia Nantambi while robbing Precious Kayesu and Aisha Nakafeero.
The accused are also linked to the murders at Denovo Bakery in Kalerwe, Kampala district, on September 16th, 2017. These incidents resulted in the deaths of five individuals, including two special police constables, Hussein Mubiru and Moses Kalungi, and injuries to others. They are also accused of robbing Nawal Nakatudde at Denovo Bakery and attempting to murder her.
Between March 2015 and June 2021, in various locations in Uganda and the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the accused, along with others, are alleged to have financially supported Hussein Lubwama alias Master for the commission and preparation of acts of terrorism. The court also discovered incriminating evidence during the search of the accused persons’ homes, including weapons and materials related to the crimes.
Yusuf Nyanzi, who was released on Monday, has been involved in three separate high-profile cases, including the murder of Major Muhammad Kiggundu and his bodyguard Sergeant Steven Mukasa. Nyanzi also faces charges related to the murder of former Police Spokesperson Andrew Felix Kaweesi, who was killed seven years ago. Despite being granted bail in the Kiggundu and Kaweesi murder cases, there are fears about a possible re-arrest.
In response to this, Nyanzi’s lawyer, Turyamusiima, expressed relief at his client’s release after many years but remains concerned about a potential rearrest.
Meanwhile, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), through its spokesperson Jacquelyn Okui, has announced their readiness to prosecute the remaining six suspects, who have been committed to face trial before a Panel of three Judges of the International Crimes Division.