Kaweesi murder trial starts Wednesday

KAMPALA - The hearing of a case in which eight men are accused of murdering former Police spokesperson Andrew Felix Kaweesi, starts Wednesday, March 26, at the International Crimes Division of the High Court in Kampala.

The suspects will appear before a panel of four justices, who include Dr Winfred Nabisinde, Susan Okalany, Richard Wabwire Wejuli and Andrew Bashaija.

The accused are Abdul-Rashid Mbaziira, Aramanzani Noordin Higenyi alias Taata Abdullazack, Yusuf Mugerwa alias Wilson, Bruhan Balyejusa alias Jimmy Masiga Ogutu, Joshua Magezi Kyambadde alias Abdu Rahman, Jibril Kalyango alias Abu Aisha, Yusuf Siraje Nyanzi alias Jimmy Ssentamu and Shafik Kasujja.

Kasujja, however, has since jumped bail and an arrest warrant has since been issued against him.

Mbaziira and Higenyi have been on remand since April 2017 because they were charged with child trafficking-related cases at Mukono High Court before getting bail in the Kaweesi murder case.

Kaweesi was killed in cold blood on March 17, 2017, in the city suburbs of Kulambiro in Nakawa division together with his bodyguard Kenneth Erau and driver Geoffrey Mambewo.

Following his murder, dozens of suspects were arrested and charged in court, but only eight were committed for trial after investigations by police linked them to the murder of the senior cop and his aides.

The summary of evidence tendered in court by the DPP indicates that Mbaziira admitted to participating in the planning and execution of the murder of Kaweesi.

The court papers further indicate that Mbaziira also revealed to the police that the assassination of Kaweesi was ordered by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebel group leaders, as he was among the government officials on its alleged hit list.

On the other hand, Mbaziira’s co-accused are said to have confessed to being members of the ADF, which is blamed for a number of atrocities such as the Kichwamba student murders in 1998.