The Nakawa Magistrate’s Court has charged with terrorism 36 Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) activists who were arrested and forcefully repatriated from Kisumu where they claim to have gone to take training in leadership skills.
The 36 are part of 40 members of FDC Katonda faction who were arrested on the night of 23rd July 2024 when combined team of security forces; Kenya Police and Uganda’s ESO, broke into their hotel rooms, interrogated them and bundled them on to a truck and driven them back to Uganda.
The activists were detained at Nagalama Police Station where they were picked from and driven to Nakawa magistrate’s court. The 36 three of whom are female were remanded to prison till 13th August 2024. The ladies were remanded to Luzira prison while the men are held at Kitalya Prison in Mityana district.
According to the charges sanctioned by the DPP Jane Frances Abodo, Makokha Samuel, Rutherford Simon, Dr. Okello George Ekwaro, Nkonge Charles, Kawanguzi Paul, Nasur din basalirwa, Latif Matido, Bukenya Charles Lwanga, kitamirike Mbago Buyinza, kasera John Mangeni, Bukenya Hakim, Olinga Ssozi Peter, Obang Walter, Cankara Moses Mwaka, Kaigo Yosia, Wanzige George, Museveni Innocent Rubarondesa, Nakibinge Edward Wasajja, Beinomugisha Adios Denmark, Muhinda Ronald, Mpungu Henry, Naguba Ronald Ssozi, Tugabirwe Richard, Okello Sirino, Ahimbisibwe Owen, Nsubuga Simon Peter, Wakabi Adam, Kimonge Conold, Buyondo Henry, Ngobi Fairuz, Owamani Robert, Kugumisiriza Arthur, Owachigiu Denis Nono, Lalam Florence, Nalunkuuma Grace, Apare Sarah and others at large, travelled from various places in Uganda to Kisumu for the purpose of providing or receiving terrorist training.
However, Katonga FDC interim president Erias Lukwago, insists that the activists had traveled to Kenya to attend a one week leadership/governance conference at Ukweli Pastoral Catholic Center-Kisumu.
During a press conference over the weekend, Lukwago condemned the inhumane and degrading treatment the activists were subjected to and their continued detention without any charge being preferred against them, and called for their unconditional release.
He demanded for an explanation from the Kenyan government who had a duty to protect these individuals who were legally on their territory and undertook to deliver a protest note to the Kenya Embassy in Uganda.
The remaining four (4) others have not arrived from Kenya -according to Katonga FDC leaders.
“The said “terrorists” duly passed through the immigration at the boarder and were cordially received by their hosts at Ukweli Catholic Pastoral Church. The church runs a big conference and hotel facility used by hundred of clients everyday.” Doreen Nyanjura an FDC leader commented after the charges were read out.