Written By |
FDC Members in the doc as they listen to charges being read to them
Search
Thirty-six members of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Katonga faction, who were deported from Kenya on Friday, have been charged with terrorism and remanded to Luzira Prison. The members, including 33 men and three women, were arrested in Kisumu for allegedly providing or receiving terrorism training. The accused consist of engineers, lawyers, businessmen, teachers, students, masons, and drivers.
Nakawa Court Chief Magistrate Erias Kakooza read out the charge of terrorism to the accused yesterday and refused to take their plea, stating his court has no jurisdiction to hear the matter because it is capital in nature.
“This court has no powers to entertain your matter, but in case you want to apply for bail, which is your right, you can do so in the International Crimes Division of the High Court,” the magistrate advised. Subsequently, the magistrate remanded the accused until August 13, 2024, when they will return to court for mention of their case.
The accused leave court back to Luzira
The accused are battling charges of terrorism, contrary to Section 6 (1) (b) and 2 (b) of the Anti-Terrorism Act Cap 120 laws of Uganda. The offence attracts a maximum sentence of death upon conviction. The accused arrived in court at about 9:00 am amidst tight security yesterday and were immediately led to the court holding cell before arraignment in the courtroom at about midday.
When the charge of terrorism was read out to the accused, family members and well-wishers burst into laughter, prompting the magistrate to call for order. However, some of the FDC Katonga faction supporters kept flashing the victory sign as they chanted in unison, “We shall overcome this one day.” Present in the fully packed courtroom were Kira Municipality MP Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda, Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, Deputy Lord Mayor Doreen Nyanjura, former Leader of the Opposition Wafula Oguttu, Katonga FDC national chairman Wasswa Birigwa, and ex-FDC national mobiliser Ingrid Turinawe.
The accused were represented by Bayern Turinamukama and Samuel Ronald Wanda, while the state was represented by Chief State Attorney Richard Birivumbuka and Doreen Elima. The prosecution informed the court that investigations into the matter are still ongoing. The accused were apprehended last Tuesday by Kenyan Police and handed over to Ugandan authorities on Friday.
The accused include the Director of the Community Support Initiative for Refugees in Nairobi, Simon Rutarondwa, Dr. George Okello Ekwaro, lawyer Paul Kawanguzi, electrician Innocent Museveni Rubarondesa, and Eng. Charles Lwanga Bukenya.
Their arrest comes at a time when Kenya is faced with violent protests over the controversial Finance Bill, with Kenyans saying raising taxes would affect the common man.
Some of the accused wave victory signs as they head back to Luzira
Immediately after the court session, Lukwago said the FDC Katonga faction members had gone to Kenya to attend training in leadership, governance, and communication, with the knowledge of the Kenyan authorities.
He revealed that their faction has a partnership with a non-governmental organisation in Kenya known as Ukweli Pastoral Leadership Centre.
“These are trumped-up charges, which are political in nature. The prosecution cannot sustain such charges under the law,” he argued.
Lukwago said they would today proceed to the Kenyan High Commission in Kampala to seek an explanation on why their members were extradited to Uganda without following the extradition process.
“The accused persons neither violated any law in Kenya nor entered the country illegally to be charged with terrorism. If they had committed a crime, they would have been subjected to the Kenyan Magistrates Court before being extradited to Uganda,” he noted.
