11 NUP Supporters Face Fresh Terror Charges

Eleven National Unity Platform (NUP) followers who were previously detained with supplies for making improvised explosive devices in Kawempe and Matuga have been charged with terrorism once again by the director of public prosecutions.

The suspects include Muhamud Kalyango from Tula, Wilber Kairugala from Kibwa Zone, and Sulaiman Male, also known as Kyewalabye, who lives in Lwadsa A Zone in Gombe Division. Abdul Katumba is a businessman from Nabweru North One Zone in Nansana Municipality. Abdallah Katumba is a resident of Growers Zone in Kawempe.

The others are: Resty Birungi Nabbosa, a peasant who lives in Busakya Village in Matuga Gombe Division; Hamidu Muyobi, a carpenter from Jinja Karoli; Issa Makumbi, another carpenter; Umar Magala, the executive secretary for works and physical planning at KCCA and a resident of Kakungulu Zone. The group, who were initially accused of making ammunition illegally, showed up in court on Tuesday to request bail and get an update on the investigation.

To their amazement, the prosecution changed the charge sheet and added a new terrorism charge that can only be tried in front of the High Court. The eleven suspects allegedly committed acts of terrorism on May 7, 2023, in Nabweru North Zone, Nansana Municipality, by acquiring and creating improvised explosive devices (petrol bombs), without regard for the safety of others, according to the updated allegations.

These actions were carried out with the intent to scare the populace or exert political, social, religious, or commercial influence over the government. The Chief Magistrate, Nambuya, indicated that because the accused may only be tried by the High Court, she lacks the authority to allow them to enter pleas to the accusations. As a result, she remanded them to Luzira prisons until June 20th, 2023, and instructed them to request bail before the High Court if they so desired.

Shamin Malende and Luyimbazi Nalukoola, who were the defense attorneys’ leaders, expressed their displeasure with the charges’ modification. There are more cases where NUP sympathizers are accused of possessing improvised explosive devices. 32 other NUP sympathizers are currently on trial in the General Court Martial for illegally possessing firearms.

The group, which was apprehended in May 2021, is charged with illegally possessing 13 explosive devices, which are usually in the hands of the armed forces. The claimed crime allegedly occurred at Jinja, Mbale, Kireka, Nakulabye, Kawempe, Natete, and Kampala Central between November 2020 and May 2021.