The International Crimes Division of the High Court in Kampala has adjourned the case in which seven people are accused of terrorism and murder of former Police Spokesperson Andrew Felix Kaweesi to March 4th 2024th for a ruling on confirmation of charges.

Kaweesi was shot dead on March 17th, 2017 together with his bodyguard Kenneth Erau and driver Godfrey Mambewa in Kulambiro Nakawa Division in Kampala District.

The suspects are Abdulrashid Mbaziira, Hamza Higenyi, Shafiq Kasujja, Yusuf Mugerwa, Bruhan Balyejjusa, Joshua Kyambadde, Jibril Kalyango, Yusuf Nyanzi and Shafiq Kasujja.

They were charged with murder, aggravated robbery, terrorism, aiding and abetting terrorism, and belonging to the Allied Democratic Forces ADF, a designated terror group.

However, Kasujja is being tried in absentia after skipping bail to allow the case to proceed without him in the interest of having a speedy hearing for his co-accused.

The matter came up for mention on Monday before Lady Justice Alice Komuhangi Khaukha who wanted to establish if her orders of putting in place written submissions were complied with.

However, State Attorney Richard Birivumbuka told the Court that the suspects’ lawyers Ladislaus Rwakafuuzi and David Kasadda did not file or haven’t filed their response or submissions.

Birivumbuka said Kasadda received disclosures a bit late as well as instructions to represent his client. Birivumbuka added that he was unable to comply with the directives of the court. He said they had no response from Rwakafuuzi and asked for more time to enable Kasadda to file his reply, and court to give notice to Rwakafuuzi to comply. He asked the Court to deliver its decision on notice.

Kasadda told the court that Rwakafuuzi is sick but working around the clock to ensure compliance with the court directives.

Justice Komuhangi granted the lawyers an extension of time to file their submissions no later than December 11th, 2023.

Komuhangi further directed that Rwakafuuzi and Kasadda should serve the Prosecution by the same date and adjourned the matter to March 4th, 2024 for a ruling.

Depending on the ruling of the court, the suspects may have the charges against them dismissed or confirmed and the file forwarded to the trial Judge for the hearing to commence.

Three of the accused persons in the case are still on remand on different charges.

These are Yusuf Nyanzi and Aramazan Noordin Higenyi alias Taata Abdallazack and Abdurashid Mbaziira alias Buyondo Muhammed. Nyanzi appears in three files containing capital offenses and high-profile murders.

He was first arrested in early 2017, on charges of killing Kaweesi, his bodyguard and driver. He was later charged with the murder of Major Muhammad Kiggundu and his bodyguard Sergent Steven Mukasa on November 26th, 2016 in Masanafu, a Kampala city suburb.

Barely a year after his release by Lady Justice Lydia Mugambe on bail, security rearrested Nyanzi from his home in Kisaasi Kyanja in connection with the attempted murder of Works and Transport Minister, General Edward Katumba Wamala and the murder of his daughter Brenda Nantongo Wamala and driver, Haruna Kayondo on June 1st, 2021.

He remains on remand to date on the 2021 charges. Also, Aramazan Noordin Higenyi alias Taata Abdallazack and Abdurashid Mbaziira alias Buyondo Muhammed were given bail on the Kaweesi murder file but remain on remand to date but on s separate file involving child trafficking charges, which is pending before the Mukono Court. These have now gone back on remand.