The International Crimes Division of the High Court has today afternoon confirmed charges of terrorism, murder and attempted murder against 15 people suspected of masterminding the murder of Muslim Clerics across the country.
The development comes after High Court Judge Duncan Gaswaga weighed evidence presented by the prosecution and found that indeed there is sufficient incriminating evidence for the suspects to stand trial.
Justice Gaswaga, the lone judge in charge pre-trial hearings of the case has also fixed October 17 as the date to commence the full trial.
This comes after the DPP discontinued charges against 17 out of the 32 suspects accused of masterminding the murder of several Muslim clerics across the country two years ago.
The DPP also dropped charges of aiding and rendering support to ADF to be used in the acts of terrorism and crimes against humanity against the remaining 15 suspects.
Those awaiting trial include Sheikh Yunus Kamoga, Hakim Kinene Muswaswa, Sematimba Abdulhamid Mubiru, Sheikh Siraje Kawooya, Sekayanja Abdulsalam, Amir Kinene, Ssekitto Twaha, Jingo Rashid, Sheikh Murta Mudde Bukenya and Kakande Yusuf, Sheikh Kalungi Fahad, Musa Issa Mubiru, Hamuza Kasirye, and Iga George William.
A three member panel comprising of Ezekiel Muhanguzi, Percy Tuhaise and Jane Kiggundu will preside over the full trial.
They will resolve a number of issues including whether the suspects had a common intention to murder Sheikhs Mustapha Bahiga and Hassan Kirya, for either a political, social or religious aim or to cause fear and intimidation amongst members of the public.
It is alleged that Sheikh Yunus Kamoga, the leader of Tabligh sect and 14 others directed systematic attacks against Shia and Tabligh Muslims, in a wave that left a number of clerics dead.
The slain Sheikhs include Mustafa Bahiga at Bwebajja who was gunned down along Entebbe Road, Abdulkdr Muwaya who was killed in Mayuge District and Hassan Kirya who was shot at and killed in Bweyogerere, Wakiso District, among others.
