Mukulu’s decision to withdraw the application was communicated to court by his lawyers, Anthony Wameli and Geoffrey Turyamusiima on Thursday afternoon. Their client appeared in court via video link from Luzira Upper Prison.
The jailed leader of the rebel Allied
Democratic Forces-ADF, Jamil Mukulu has withdrawn his application from the
International Crimes Division of High Court without giving any reasons. The
application was pending hearing before Lady Justice, Susan Okalany.
Mukulu’s decision to withdraw the application was communicated
to court by his lawyers, Anthony Wameli and
Geoffrey Turyamusiima on Thursday afternoon. Their client appeared in court via
video link from Luzira Upper Prison.
Prior to the withdraw of the application
that was filed last month, Mukulu's lawyers
and the State Attorney; Marion Ben- Bella held a closed door meeting with
Justice Okalany in her chambers. They immediately announced their decision to withdraw the
application shortly after appearing in court.
The State Attorney, Marion Ben-Bella, who said she was ready to proceed with
the application, didn’t object to the withdrawal. Justice Okalany endorsed the withdrawal and
directed the Deputy Registrar of the International Crimes Division to fix
Mukulu's matter for hearing.
Last month, Mukulu told Justice Okalany in open
court to step down from hearing his bail application for her alleged bias
towards Muslims. Mukulu told Justice Okalany that she was
quoted sometime back in the media, saying she was afraid that Muslims would
kill her.
It is on these grounds that Mukulu accused Justice Okalany of being bias towards
Muslims, saying she can’t dispense justice in his matter since he is also a Muslim. Shortly after the court session, Mukulu got a
chance to interact with his lawyers and family members via video conferencing. Wameli said Mukulu tearfully apologized to his mother, Aisha
Nakiyemba for whatever wrong he could have committed.
English Audio
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Details of the Case
Mukulu was arrested from Tanzania and extradited
to Uganda in 2015 on charges of terrorism, murder, aggravated robbery,
attempted murder and being a member of a terrorist group, ADF. He is accused of commanding his co accused to
acquire firearms, training in neighboring countries and funding for social,
economic, political and religious motives.
Prosecution alleges that Mukulu
and his group raided sections of Muslim communities most of especially those
they disagreed with on particular matters like where to face while conducting
prayers.
Some of those purportedly killed by Mukulu’s
group are Sheikh Yunus Mandana and top Shia Cleric Daktoor Abdulqadir Muwaya
who were gunned down.
The group is also
accused of attacking Bugiri Police Station where two Police Officers, Karin
Tenywa and Muzamir Babale were killed. In 2019, the International Crimes Division Court
Judge Eva Luswata looked at the evidence the state intends to use against
Mukulu and his co accused and found it sufficient to sustain 20 charges against
them.
Mukulu was accordingly committed to ICD for trial. However, the trial has dragged on,
which is one of the grounds he had raised in his bail application.
