DPP now withdraws terrorism charges against 5 women

The director of public prosecutions (DPP), Jane Frances Abodo, has withdrawn terrorism charges against five women previously accused of aiding and abetting terrorism related to bombings at the Kampala Central Police Station (CPS) and IPS building in 2021.

Those freed are Eron Nanfuka, Sharon Nakitende, Annet Nakato Nakibirango, Zam Naiga, and Shamirah Naddamba. Assistant DPP Thomas Jatiko, presented a communique before High court judge Richard Wejuli Wabwire, discontinuing the charges against the accused. Consequently, 14 men are left to face charges of terrorism and belonging to a terrorist organization, Allied Democratic Forces (ADF). 

They include Yusuf Muwonge, Ismail Kiyemba, Bogere Muniru, Jjuko Bashir Kiwanuka, Mohammed Kisitu, Bakyayita Hamuza, Matiwa Huzaifa Ismail, Wambedde Twaha, Nadir Faisal Nsubuga, Ishaq Jero, Kiryowa Jamada, Hassan Ssebunya, Sadiq Musinguzi, and Amar Bbumba.

The judge endorsed the discontinuation of charges and issued a production warrant for the Luzira women’s prison authorities to release them. Notably, one of the released women went to prison pregnant and has since delivered twins during her incarceration at Luzira prisons.

This discontinuation of charges applies to 5 out of 19 people committed to the High court for trial a year ago by the Buganda Road Magistrate’s court. The remaining accused persons have been further remanded until February 14, 2024. The accused were initially committed for trial in 2022 by magistrate Asuman Muhumuza and have awaited formal charging before the High court since then.

According to the prosecution’s evidence, in 2021, the country experienced a series of bomb attacks by unknown assailants, causing public fear and panic. These attacks aimed to discredit the government. On October 25, 2021, a suicide bomber detonated an improvised explosive device (IED) aboard a Swift bus at Lungala in Mpigi district, resulting in fatalities and injuries. Investigations led to the arrest of suspects in possession of an IED, allegedly provided by their co-accused.

Additionally, the five women were initially accused of aiding, harboring, financing, and supporting terrorism-related activities. The evidence indicates that Ismail Kiyemba admitted to making IEDs, including one used by the deceased suicide bomber. He claimed Sharif Kiyemba contracted him to create a more potent bomb for future use. 

“Upon arrest A2, Ismail Kiyemba admitted and confirmed that he often made improvised explosive devices IEDs and among them was the one he made for and was used by Matovu alias Muzafaru alias Musilamu the deceased swift bus suicide bomber who along Lungala, within Mpigi district detonated the IED killing him instantly and injuring other passengers aboard the swift Bus. He further admits that one Sharif Kiyemba the key suspect still at large had contracted him to improvise a bomb for him with greater capacity than that he made for Matovu Isaac,” reads the committal papers. 

The state alleges that the greater capacity bomb was planned for March 2022, but due to fear following police pursuit, it was not deployed. The prosecution possesses call data and records indicating constant communication between the accused persons and the three suicide bombers; Isaac Matovu, Uthman Mansur, and Abudallah Wanjusi. 

The state intends to present police reports, survivor treatment records, and postmortem reports indicating the cause of death to substantiate their case. Various seized items from Kiyemba, including phones, discs, chemicals, and electronic components, have been submitted for analysis as trial evidence.