Kerry Howard Mwesigwa.
Nineteen individuals accused of involvement in the Kampala Central Police Station (CPS) and IPS building bombings have finally made their appearance before the International Crimes Division of the High Court. The suspects, alleged to have manufactured, planted, and detonated Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) approximately two years ago, are now facing the legal consequences of their actions.
The accused individuals, comprising mobile money operators, welders, students, and others, were presented before Justice Richard Wejuli Wabwire for the commencement of the trial. However, due to the unpreparedness of the prosecutor, State Attorney Joseph Kyomuhendo, the proceedings were adjourned to August 9th, 2023. The court also directed the state to provide legal representation to the suspects after their previous lawyer, Geoffrey Turyamusiima, withdrew from the case.
According to the evidence and investigations, the prosecution asserts that Uganda faced a series of indiscriminate bomb attacks in 2021, which instilled fear and panic among the public. Sharif Kiyemba, the alleged mastermind behind the attacks, remains at large. The preliminary investigations led to the arrest of several suspects, including five women accused of aiding, harboring, financing, and supporting Kiyemba in preparing or committing acts of terrorism.
One of the detained individuals, Ismail Kiyemba, admitted to manufacturing IEDs, including the one used by a deceased suicide bomber on a Swift Bus. He revealed that Sharif Kiyemba had contracted him to create a bomb with greater capacity for future use. The evidence indicates that this larger capacity bomb was intended for use in March 2022 when the situation calmed down, as Sharif Kiyemba became wary of the police’s hunt for him.
The state has compiled significant evidence, including call data and phone records, demonstrating communication between the accused and the three suicide bombers involved in the attacks. Police reports, postmortem reports, and various exhibits recovered from Sharif Kiyemba’s possession are crucial elements that will be presented as evidence during the trial.
