By News room
The high court in Kampala has acquitted the Former Tabliq Leader Sheik Yunus Kamoga of Murder and Attempted murder charges by the three International Crimes Court Division Judges but found him guilty of terrorism charges.
Sheik Kamoga arrested in November 2016 has been on trial with 13 other Muslim clerics over assassinating rival sheikhs and other Muslim leaders and indicted of terrorism.
The delivery of the verdict that was meant to take place Monday morning was pushed to afternoon since the judge was not ready. Security comprised of counter terrorism among other civilian clothed offecers was heavily deployed ready for any unforeseen circumstance.
Those charged with Sheik Kamoga are, Sheikh Murta Mudde Bukenya, Sheikh Fahad Kalungi, sheikh Ssiraje Kawooya, Sheikh Rashid Jjingo, Sheikh Abdu Salam Ssekayanja, Sheikh Twaha Ssekito and Sheikh Yusuf Kakande Mr. Hakim Kinene Muswaswa, Mr. Muzamilu Kasawuli, Mr. Arafaat Serunjogi, Mr. Badru Bukenya, Mr. Alex Okot, Mr Joseph Olanya, Mr. Amir Kinene, Ms Aisha Nakasibante and Mr. Charles Okidi.
Three court assessors led by Robert Lubega Sseguya together with Ahmed Dumba and Judith Muhairwe delivered their unanimous opinion in July 2017 advising the judges to acquit all the 14 accused of all the charges although their opinion is not binding.
The judges however, found Sheik Kamoga and five others guilty of Terrorism of which their sentence for the charges will be determined on Tuesday August 22nd.
Former leader of the Tabliq Muslim faith, Sheikh Yunus Kamoga and others are accused of assassinating rival sheikhs Mustafa Bahiga at Bwebajja Mosque on Entebbe Road, Ibrahim Hassan Kirya in Bweyogerere and others in diverse places between 2014 and 2016.
Prosecution alleges the group, with others still at large between December 2014 and January 5, 2015 at Kavule ward Buyemba Mayuge District, Bwebajja and Watuba Matugga Wakiso District with intent to intimidate the public or sections of the Muslim faith and for a political, religious, social or economic aim involved themselves in attacks towards shiite and Tabliq Muslims which resulted in murders of Sheikh Mustafa Bahiiga at Bwebajja Mosque on Entebbe Road and the Shiite leader, Sheikh Abdul Qadr Muwaya, at his home in Mayuge District among others.
Court based on the evidence produced in court by one Sheikh Harunah Jemba, who allegedly survived murder by Kamoga’s group said the convicts had sent him fliers and threatening messages promising to kill him to pin Sheikh Kamoga of terrorism however eight other suspects were acquitted.
Those acquitted of all counts by the three judges are Amir Kinene, his brother Hakeem Kinene, Sematimba Abdul Rashid, Hamza Kasirye, Sekitto Twaha, Jingo Rashid, Musa Isa Mubiru and Yiga George William.
The trial is headed by Justices Ezekiel Muhanguzi, assisted by Justices; Jane Kiggundu and Percy Tuhaise of the International Crimes Division of the High Court.
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