Kampala — At least 29 people suspected to have participated in the burning of property and cars at Nateete Police Station when riots broke out in Kampala nearly two weeks ago are to be charged with terrorism.
Kampala Metropolitan Deputy Spokesman Henry Kalulu yesterday told journalists at a press briefing that the Directorate of Public Prosecution consented to the charges, paving way for the suspects to face the death penalty on conviction.
"These 29 people we are charging with terrorism are the ones who took part in torching Nateete Police Station, vehicles and a transformer at Kyengera on Kampala-Masaka Road," Mr Kalulu said, adding that the suspects' alleged actions contradicted two sections of the Anti-Terrorism Act (2002).
Section 7 (1) B of the Anti-Terrorism Act (2002) states that any person who engages in or carries out any act of terrorism commits an offence and shall on conviction in any other case, be liable to suffer death.
Section 7 (2) of the same Act describes terrorism as direct involvement or complicity in the murder, kidnapping, abducting, maiming or attack, whether actual, attempted or threatened on the person, official premises, private accommodation, or means of transport or diplomatic agents or other internationally protected persons with the purpose of influencing the government or intimidating the public.
The terror suspects, who Mr Kalulu said are currently being held at Katwe Police Station, are the latest batch of rioters to be arraigned before court - after more than 164 who were last week charged with unlawful assembly, rioting and inciting violence.
The three-day riots, which started on September 10 after the government denied Buganda Katikkiro JB Walusimbi access to Kayunga District in the run up to Kabaka Muwenda Mutebi's planned visit two days later, left at least 24 people dead and hundreds of other injured.
A combined force of the Police and Army later quelled the demonstrators and arrested at least 600 for their alleged involvement in the riots that paralysed business in the city.
During his address to Parliament last week, President Museveni promised to compensate those who lost vehicles at Nateete Police Station and asked the courts not to give bail to the suspected rioters, a move that was condemned by lawyers and human rights groups. "I would like to call upon the judiciary to give these cases (riot cases) priority and not grant the suspects bail. They should be handed a deterrent sentence so that they will never take to streets again," Mr Museveni said.
Buganda countered the President's action by lining up a team of 15 prominent lawyers to offer free legal services to the riots suspects.
According to Mr Kalulu, another batch of 68 suspects is to be arraigned before the courts this week on charges of holding unlawful assembly and destruction of property. He said: "Their files have been sanctioned and the suspects are yet to appear in court."
List of suspects
Musa Ssengendo aka Kakono
Ssekabira Robert
William Matovu
Bashir Mutyaba
Kalule Fud
Phillip Ssendawula
Gerald Kajja
Dan Mulindwa
Robert Walugembe
Robert Kizza
Kamada Nsubuga
Lwanga Akim
Richard Kijjambu
Juma Ssekyanzi
Ssemambo Sam
Moses Kilungi
Emmanuel Kayemba
Kyomuhendo Agnes
Adad Kibuuka
Jesero Livingstone
Kikulwe Paul
Kasim Ntanzi
Tujune Emmanuel
Sadat Luswata
Kaseruka Maribu
Gafumba John
Mukasa Muhamed Ssalongo
Rogers Zinda
Mugisha Muzafaru
Salim Magoba
Bob Kakembo
Erisa Mujuni
Muhamed Ssekatawa
Nsubuga Medi
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