Suspected Katumba shooter missing from Kitalya prison- lawyer tells court

Huzaifa Wampa alias Kanaabe, the eighth individual to be arraigned in court, charged, and remanded in relation to the attempted assassination of the former Chief of Defence Forces, was remanded to Kitalya government jail on July 15 after being charged with terrorism, murder, and attempted murder.

Wampa was unavailable to be found on Tuesday, when the other seven appeared via video link from Luzira Upper prison, prompting his lawyer, Geoffrey Turyamusiima, to report the same to court.

Turyamusiima told the court, “Your worship, one of the accused, Huzaifa Wampa, is not in court and the state should be ordered to introduce him.”

As a result, the state prosecutor, Barbra Kyomugisha, was asked to defend the state in the case, and she requested extra time to gather information from prison officials before answering.

The case was adjourned until August 31, 2021, by trial magistrate Ponsiano Odwori, who also directed the state prosecutor to respond to the case on that date.

Those who are suspected

Last month, a total of eight persons were remanded for allegedly taking part in the assassination attempt on Gen Katumba Wamala’s life.

Sheikh Yusuf Siraji Nyanzi, Hussein Sserubula, Muhammad Kagugube alias Musiramu alias Mugisha alias Mbavumoja, and Kamada Walusimbi alias Mudinka are among the eight.

Siriman Ayuub Kisambira alias Mukwasi Koja, Abdulaziz Ramathan Dunku, and Habib Ramanthan Marjan are among the other suspects.

Murder, terrorism, and attempted murder are among the charges leveled against them.

“The group, together with seven other people and others still at large, directly involved themselves in the murder and attempted murder of Police, U.K., between March 2015 and June 2021 in various locations in Uganda with the intent to intimidate the public or a section of the public for political, religious, social, or economic aims indiscriminately without due regard for the safety of others or property, indiscriminately without due regard for the safety of others or property, directly involved themselves in the murder and attempted murder

The group is also suspected of killing Gen Katumba Wamala’s daughter Brenda Nantongo Katumba and his driver Haruna Kayondo on June 1, 2021, at Kisota road in Kisaasi, Nakawa division, Kampala district.

Prisons are speaking out.

When contacted for response, Prisons spokesperson Frank Baine stated that the date of Wampa’s court appearance had been miscalculated.

“He (Wampa) was assigned an alternative appearance date” (in court). They had not agreed on a date of appearance, and we only take persons who are required to appear in court,” Baine told the Nile Post.

He explained that Wampa, unlike his co-accused, is scheduled to appear in court on August 30th, not today.

“They (the seven others) were given separate dates from him (Wampa) because they were the first to be remanded.”