The case started in 2021 with 19 people but the DPP first withdrew charges against all the women suspects in December 2023 leaving the case with only 14 people who have been sieved by court now to only remain with only nine for trial
The discontinuation of charges against all the ladies in this case now leaves 14 men on file to answer to charges of Terrorism and Belonging to a Terrorist Organisation, the Allied Democratic Forces -ADF.
On Wednesday afternoon, Justice Richard Wejuli Wabwire gave the order directing prison doctors to examine the suspects and furnish his court with a report of their findings within 21 days. This came up during the pretrial hearing when the prime suspect Muwonge complained to the Court about how he was tortured, coerced, and forced to sign documents confessing to the crimes against him.
The prosecution, led by State Attorney Joseph Kyomuhendo, requested an adjournment, stating they needed more time to disclose evidence to the defense and file an application for witness protection.
On Wednesday, when the matter came up for pretrial hearing before Justice Richard Wejuli Wabwire, the Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Thomas Jatiko said the police file is at CID headquarters and the Prosecution has not yet received it since the case was transferred to ICD.
The prosecutor, State Attorney Joseph Kyomuhendo, requested more time to consult with his superiors as he was not prepared with the case file, leading to an adjournment of the proceedings to August 9th, 2023.
Speaking to Uganda Radio Network, Grace Sonko, the mother of Sharon Nakitende, one of the suspects wants her daughter released because she was expecting when she was taken to prison. She explains that her daughter has since given birth to twins whom she can not ably take care of while in prison.
