Mukulu trial legal despite improprieties—court

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The International Crimes Division of the High Court has approved the trial of former Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebel group leader Jamil Mukulu, saying even though he was illegally detained, it does not wash away the gravity of the offence.

Mukulu and his co-accused, Muhammad Matovu and Omar Abdallah Mutuka, wanted the trial halted on the grounds that the extradition terms between Tanzania and Uganda were violated and that they were tortured.

A panel of four Justices (names withheld) today, June 23, 2025, ruled that Mukulu was illegally detained in Police cells beyond the 48 hours and remanded to Nalufenya Police Station in Jinja district for a year.

Former ADF leader Jamil Mukulu (Second Right in a face-mask) and his co-accused Muhammad Matovu (Left first row) and Omar Abdallah (Centre first row) in the dock at International Crimes Division of the High Court on Monday 23 June 2025. (Photo by Colleb Mugume)

However, the justices said the violations are not gross enough to affect the merits of the case to warrant the termination of the trial.

The justices advised Mukulu and his co-accused to pursue compensation for their violated liberties in a Civil court.

The Justices also ruled that Mukulu failed to prove that he was tortured, delayed the trial and that his property, including $38,000 (about shillings 137 million) and a camera, were confiscated.

“The allegations of torture are unfounded and the applicants are receiving a fair hearing,” the judge said.

Mukulu had claimed that he was beaten, stripped naked and forced to eat pork during his detention at Nalufenya as the Ugandan authorities forced him to confess to the crime and pin other suspects.

Allegation

Prosecution alleges that Mukulu and the Salaf Muslim community in Uganda would give orders to his 37 co-suspects to commit murders and robberies in various districts of Kampala, Mbale, Bugiri, Tororo, Namayingo, Wakiso, Budaka and Budaka.

Former ADF leader Jamil Mukulu (Centre in a face-mask) escorted by Prisons Officers enters a Uganda Prisons bus after a court session at International Crimes Division of the High Court on Monday 23 June 2025. (Photo by Colleb Mugume)

Mukulu is also implicated in the murder of seven people, including Sheikh Abdukadir Muwaya and Sheikh Yunus Abubaker Madangu.  Muwaya was murdered on December 25, 2014, at Kavule LC1 in Mayuge district.

Others killed were LC3 chairperson Tito Kwa, Julius Owori, police constable Muzamir Babale, special police constable Karim Tenywa and John Stephen Owori.

According to prosecution, the accused committed the offence between 2002 and 2015 in various districts, including Kampala, for purposes of influencing the government or intimidating the public for political, religious, social or economic aim, and indiscriminately without due regard to the safety of others or property.

The prosecution intends to rely on several exhibits, including explosives, guns, ammunition, literature related to activities of ADF, car number plates and confession statements of some suspects during the trial.