Three Kenyans have been charged with the bomb attacks that killed 79 people watching the football World Cup final on television in the Ugandan capital, Kampala.
Hussein Hassan, Mohammed Adan Abdow, and Idris Magondu, were taken to a magistrate's court and charged with murder, terrorism and attempted murder for their alleged role in the bombings.
They were not required to answer the charges because the cases will be heard by the High Court.
The magistrate remanded the men until 27 August.
Al Shebab, a Somali rebel group which professes loyalty to Al-Qaeda, claimed responsibility for the attacks.
African Union leaders pledged to add 4,000 soldiers to the AU's peacekeeping force in Somalia to tackle the Shebab threat.
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Spooked Museveni - the mass killer - must charge someone - anyone.
And he must kill someone - indeed he must kill many more people than were killed - by those he had gone to Somalia to kill.
Now, why do we need to read this from Radio France Internationale (Paris)? Don't those froggie French have something more interesting to report in France or Europe - like women in France are NOT free to wear what they want to wear [But of course, french women in Saudi Arabia must be free to wear what they want to ..
OR like euro-women killing their new-born babies ..
OR europeans killing and eating their own ...
The case of Mohammed Hamid Suleiman now brings to four (4) Kenyan citizens (legal residents) who have been rendered across the border to Uganda. And that only represents the most recent count of the many renderings (illegal cross-border transfers of high-profile suspects) conducted by Kenyan authorities.
The current war on international terrorism has become the perfect excuse for a whole cadre of uncontrollable demons within our governments. We have gone back to the Mau Mau War when innocent folks got shot for not having the kipande papers -- and neighbours betrayed neighbours into concentration camps (based on personal disputes).
While no person in their right mind could possibly support terrorism. Even so -- it is important that applicable laws (and Constitutional provisions) are respected to the last comma -- including the fundamental presumption that all suspects must be considered NOT GUILTY UNTIL SO PROVEN IN A PROPERLY CONSTITUTED COURT OF LAW.
One must therefore give credit to the Uganda magistrate who refused to take pleas (from the Kampala bombing suspects) based on the Constitutional limitations of his court. He understood that justice is irrevocably compromised when law enforcement agencies conduct themselves like a kangaroo court.
We all want justice for the heinous crimes --but GOD forbid that this noble quest transform our citizens (and governments) into common lynch mobs.
The not guilty presumption applies to all human beings irrespective of our suspicions or fears. We enforce this presumption (even for criminals who are caught red-handed) in order to firmly shut the door against instituitionalised abuse (which affects everybody).
If the Kenyan police become comfortable rendering suspicious Kenyan citizens across the borders -- they will soon become comfortable rendering Kenyan citizens right within our borders.
As a matter of fact the Kenya police have become notorious for such renderings in the Ngong bushes, the slums of Mathare and Korogocho. at the Nairobi University roundabout, etc etc.
And it is precisely such blatant atrocities that fueled the campaign to change the Kenyan Constitution. In order to make sure that everyone (citizens and guests) was properly tried, properly represented, properly convicted and properly hanged (where necessary).
Yet here we are -- quietly watching the yet unrepentant police inflicting the old terrorism upon a segment of our population.
As if such fire can be contained to one corner of the village
My heart therefore sympathises deeply with the innocent families of the rendered victims. Where are they expected to go for justice -- when their own government violates their basic freedoms (in this misdirected bid to prove vigilant).
Kenyans need to understand that every human violation (every misuse of governmental power) becomes curse upon their nation. The helpless tears of families watching bored State Prosecutors glibly covering-up police violations -- these bitter tears of the victimised become unspoken curses upon our land.
Our instinct for self-preservation (and our thirst for revenge) may not be moved by such tears. But the Almighty GOD always stands very close to the suffering (Psalm 34:18) irrespective of their roots or creed.
The law is very clear with regard to cross-border criminals. The local police force has the primary duty to apprehend the suspected criminals (on behalf of the foreign police force). After which the suspect must be taken to the High Court for the requisite extradition hearing.
The suspect cannot be extradited (rendered) without documented evidence that has been scrutinized and approved by the High Court. The suspect can also appeal against his extradition to the highest court possible.
If the evidence adduced is overwhelming -- then the suspect must be handed over to the foreign police force in a formal extradition ceremony (involving Foreign Affairs and InterPol representatives) during official daylight hours. Nobody is supposed to be hustled across the midnight border shady matatus.
Therefore Matthew Nteere (the Kenya Police Commissioner) and his Ugandan counterpart should be taken to court and charged for criminal trafficking in human beings !!!!!
Thaaai Thaaai (peace and blessings)