Two suspects ,who have been facing charges of murder, terrorism and attempted murder of the Minister of Works and Transport General Katumba Wamala have been freed by the High Court International Crimes Division.
Yusuf Nyanzi and Hussein Sserubula regained their freedom on Monday after presiding Judge Alice Komuhangi discovered that there is no sufficient evidence to connect them to the offences.
Nyanzi has been in and out of prison for about eight years in connection with three high profile cases including attempted murder of Gen Katumba Wamala, murder of former Police spokesman Andrew Felix Kaweesi and UPDF Maj Gen Muhammad Kiggundu.
According to the ruling read by Court registrar Registrar Juliet Harty Hatanga the Prosecution failed to bring sufficient evidence to either incriminate the two accused persons on the offences of attempting to murder Gen Katumba Wamala, murdering his daughter Brenda Katumba and his driver Haruna Kayondo and terrorism.
However, the same court confirmed charges of murder , attempted murder , terrorism , aggravated robbery and confessing to belong to a terrorist organization -the ADF against the six accused persons, who were jointly charged with Nyanzi and Serubula.
The six are Muhammad Kagugube, Sirimani Kisambira, Abudullah Aziz Ramadhan, Dunka, Kamada Walusimbi, Habib Ramadhan Marjan and Huzaifah Wampa.
Evidence before Court indicates that group on 1st June 2021 along Kisota road in Kisaasi, a Kampala city suburb shot dead Brenda Nantongo and Haruna Kayondo and also attempted to kill Gen Katumba Wamala
It is also alleged that the accused persons the six accused persons on 29th May 2019 at Cheap General Hardware Nansana, in Wakiso district unlawfully caused the death of Jimmy Atukuru, Frank Anania, Abaho Frank Mutsinda and Amim Bugembe whom they shot dead.
The Court heard that on the same date and place, the suspects also stole 385 million Shillings from Tedrin Nalule, the cashier of Cheap General Hardware and again murdered Burton Okoti on April 27, 2019, at City Shoppers Supermarket Kanyanya, Mpererwe, Kawempe division in Kampala district.
Further , that after shooting Okoti dead, the accused took off with 2.2 million Shillings from Precious Kayesu and another 4.5 million Shillings from Aisha Nakafeero and also attempted to murder Jalia Nantambi on the same date and venue.
That further between March 2015 and June 2021 while in various places in Kampala, Luweero, Kasese, and in various places in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the accused persons and others still at large rendered financial support to Hussein Lubwama commonly known as Master to the commission, preparation of acts of terrorism. Lubwama was shot dead as the police effected his arrest.
On the other hand, the evidence before the Court shows that during the search at the homes of the accused persons, police recovered several items including; two AK 47 guns, a pistol, ammunition, motorcycles, hoods, toy pistols, helmets, ropes, sim cards, mobile phone caps, knives among others connecting them to the offences.
Commenting about the case , Nyanzi ‘s lawyer Turyamusiima has said he is happy that his client has gained his freedom after so many years .
However, the office of the DPP through its Spokesperson Jacquelyn Okui said that they are ready with the Prosecution of the remaining six suspects at the next stage where they have now been committed to face trial before a Panel of three Judges of the International Crimes Division.
