Three terror suspects implicated in terrorism acts have been charged and remanded at the Buganda Road Magistrates Court.
The suspects, who appeared before the Buganda Road Magistrate, Doreen Kalungi, today were charged with three counts of terrorism, unlawful possession of explosives and belonging to a terrorism organisation Allied Democratic Forces (ADF).
There was tight security witnessed outside the court by Swat operatives as the suspects arrived from the War Crimes Court in Kololo to Buganda Road Court.
The suspects, who looked frail and unhealthy, alleged torture and unlawful detention as one narrated to Court that he was badly tortured, pepper sprayed and he has been in detention for two months.They claim to have fresh scars on their body as evidence.
Through their lawyer, Godfrey Turyamusiima, the suspects sought bail or permission to access treatment from better health facilities.
In response, her Worship Doreen Kalungi declined to see the suspects’ alleged torture scars because the Chief Magistrate who was supposed to handle the matter was in a meeting and that the Buganda Road Magistrate Court had no jurisdiction.
The State Prosecutor, Joan Keko, told court they are still carrying out investigations thus asking for more time.
During an interaction with the suspects’ lawyer, Turyamusiima, he explained that he would follow up the matter to ensure that his clients got justice and their human rights were not violated.
The three suspects include Katumba Rashid alias Shiddy, 21, a resident of Masajja Makindye division, Luyejje Najjim, 22, a Mobile Money agent and resident of Kijjabwemi Masaka district, and Kayemba Arafat, 26, a welder who resides in Mengo, Kisenyi.
Prosecution alleges that the three suspects between the months of May and August 2021 in various places in Central and Northern Uganda, worked under the Allied Democratic forces to perform and attempt terrorism acts.
The trio is linked to a foiled bomb attack on mourners at the burial of the late Lt.Gen Paul Lokech in Pader on August 25, 2021. At that time, Police in Pader busted Katumba with bomb implements at a local hotel following an intelligence led operation.
The suspect was found in possesion of nine materials used to make explosive devices including home made bombs, carrier bomb bags, ball bearing, suicide vests, detonators, almnioum sulphate, wire cutters, switches and a mobile phone used to detonate a bomb.
Compiled by Rashidah Nakaayi
