Mumbere case deferred to June 13

The pre-trial hearing of the case in which Rwenzururu King Charles Wesley Mumbere and 217 others are accused of murder, has been deferred to June 13, due to the absence of state prosecutors. 

On Tuesday, May 23, the International Crimes Division of the High Court presided over by Justice Alice Komuhangi heard that the prosecutors led by Chief State Attorney Lillian Omara are undergoing training at the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) in Kampala. 

“The ODPP informed the court in writing that they will be absent today and for that reason, the matter is adjourned to June 13 for further pre-trial,” Komuhangi said. 

Mumbere, Johnson Thembo Kitsumbire, the kingdom’s former minister, and others also face charges of terrorism, treason, attempted murder, and aggravated robbery. 

Others are Alex Bakulha, Erius Muhindo, January Kule, John Sibanza, Nelson Bwambale, Jafali Maate, Erya Kule Sibendire, Julius Masereka, Joshua Bwambale, Yokasi Bijwanga, Thembo Bagunda, Emmanuel Nzaghura and Seith Tibamwenda, among others. 

Mumbere, whose bail was extended, and his subjects, are facing trial over the 2016 clashes with security forces in which several people including soldiers lost their lives. 

Most of the suspects were arrested at Mumbere’s palace in Buhikira, Kasese town, following clashes between security forces and suspected Rwenzururu kingdom, loyalists. 

This was after a group of alleged royal guards of the Omusinga hurled an improvised grenade at the Uganda People’s Defence Forces and Police officers, who were patrolling Kasese town. 

The joint security forces responded with gunfire which sparked off retaliation attacks by suspected kingdom loyalists on Police posts across the district. About 100 people including 16 Police officers were allegedly killed in the attacks. 

The prosecution alleges that Mumbere and his co-accused on September 14, 2016, murdered Police constables Simon Peter Apile and Saverio Ochema, and attempted to murder Detective Assistant Inspector of Police Denis Ahebwa, Police Constables Polycarp Ojoko, Benon Byaki and Francisco Nsimaki. 

They are also accused of killing Godfrey Kasimba on March 24, 2016, a Police constable formerly attached to the defunct Field Force Unit. 

The state further alleges that the accused between July and November 2016 at Bukara and Nyabutsi villages in Kabalore district, attacked various Police establishments, property and unlawfully made explosives and possessed ammunition.