I am not a murderer, says ADF leader Jamil Mukulu
Former Allied Democratic Forces rebel leader Jamil Mukulu has denied ever participating in murder of people as alleged by the state.
Mukulu, who was arrested in 2015 in Tanzania was indicted together with 38 others of offences related to terrorism, murder, attempted murder, aggravated robbery, aiding and abetting terrorism, crimes against humanity and belonging to a terrorist organization stemming from his alleged involvement in rebel activities as the leader of ADF.
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On Monday, his pre-trial session begun at the International Crimes Division of the High Court in Kampala but as he was being led to and from court, Mukulu shouted that he is not a murderer adding that charges against him are fabricated to have him imprisoned.
“These people are conmen and mafias. I am not a murderer. The murderers are known in this country,”Mukulu shouted in both Luganda and English as he disembarked from the Luzira prisons bus before being led to the court cells on Monday morning.
““Don’t you know who killed people in Mukura( in 1989), Andrew Kayiira? Who doesn’t know who invaded Omusinga’s palace? They are bringing me here for nothing. I did not commit any crime.The murderers are out there.”
Despite being chained on cuffs on his hands and shackles, the ADF rebel leader seemed not bothered as he looked calm and was taking notes during the court proceedings.
The state represented by John Baptist Asiimwe, a senior assistant Director of Public Prosecutions, Lino Anguzo, a principal state attorney, Thomas Jatiko(principal state attorney),Racheal Bikhole(principal state attorney) and Lilian Omara(senior state attorney) asked court for more time to be able to peruse and analyse some of the evidence they said had been got from Tanzania in for of documentaries and physical exhibits they intend to use during the pre-trial.
They also asked for more time to be able to talk to witnesses and victims and also see how to best protect the former while testifying in the matter.
Justice Eva Luswata who is handling the pre-trial session adjourned the matter to May 28.
Mukulu is accused of launching a rebellion when he formed ADF out of remnants of the National Army for the Liberation of Uganda(NALU), terrorising people in Western Uganda areas of Rwenzori leading to death of many.
The group is accused of masterminding the attack, burning and the resultant death of over 80 students at Kichwamba Technical Institute in 1998.
Prosecution also alleges that Mukulu masterminded the killing of various Muslim Sheikhs in Uganda between 2013 and 2015.
A number of recent brutal killings including that of Maj.Muhammad Kiggundu, AIGP Andrew Felix Kaweesi and Joan Kagezi have in the past been linked to the ADF group but the country and world at large will be waiting to see if this is proven during Mukulu’s trial.
