Reported by Kerry Howard Mwesigwa
The International Crimes Division of the High Court in Kampala, Uganda has confirmed terrorism charges against Jamal Kiyemba. The former Guantanamo Bay detainee is accused of providing support to a terrorist organization, belonging or professing to belong to the same group, and soliciting or inviting support for the organization. The prosecution alleges that between 2021 and January 2022, Kiyemba rendered support to the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a known terrorist organization operating in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Kiyemba’s arrest on January 29, 2022, at the Old Taxi Park in Kampala was on grounds of soliciting or inviting support for the ADF. The prosecution presented evidence during the pre-trial phase of the case indicating that Kiyemba has expressed support and admiration for terrorist organizations such as Al Qaeda and Al-Shabaab. They also accused Kiyemba of recruiting members of the ADF since 1999.
The judge presiding over the pre-trial case, Lady Justice Alice Komuhangi Khaukha, ruled that the evidence provided by the prosecution was sufficient to sustain the three charges against Kiyemba. However, Kiyemba’s lawyer attempted to argue that his client was in an improper state of mind when he chanted “Long live ADF.” But Justice Khaukha ruled that Kiyemba knew precisely what he was doing and was very deliberate in making sure he expressed his support for the ADF near a UPDF soldier.
Terrorism has been a global problem, and Uganda has not been immune to it. The country has experienced several terrorist attacks, including the 2010 Al-Shabaab attack on Kampala that claimed over 70 lives. Kiyemba has been remanded until the next hearing.
