KAMPALA-The International Crimes Division of the High Court of Uganda, presided over by Lady Justice Alice Komuhangi Khauka, has confirmed charges against four individuals accused of being members of the notorious Allied Democratic Forces (ADF).
The ruling, delivered on May 27, 2024, implicates Namiro Rashida, Kakooza Saidi alias Bizimana, Abduraheem Musa Musene alias Ramathan alias Chairman, and Ibrahim Rajab alias Idra alias Ali in a series of grave offences.
The court confirmed sixteen counts of Aggravated Trafficking in Children, two counts of Trafficking in Persons, one count of Belonging to a Terrorist Organization, one count of Rendering Support to a Terrorist Organization, and one count of Terrorist Financing. These offences are alleged to have occurred between 2016 and 2022, marking a disturbing chapter in the nation’s fight against terrorism.
The prosecution presented a compelling case, detailing the ADF’s operations in Uganda with a strategic base in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The ADF, a recognized terrorist organization, has been actively recruiting individuals to wage war against the Ugandan government.
From 2020 to 2021, Namiro Rashida spearheaded a recruitment campaign, targeting vulnerable children. Five children, including four minors, were allegedly recruited by Rashida for armed conflict and other illicit activities. These children were transported to the DRC, where they received military training. Tragically, some were forced into marriage, and while one victim was rescued by the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), others remain unaccounted for. Rashida is also accused of running a business to finance ADF activities.
The Involvement of Abduraheem Musa Musene was critical. He not only recruited Kakooza Saidi into the ADF but also urged Saidi to enlist his own children. Consequently, Saidi sent five of his children, including four minors, to the DRC, where they vanished. Musene facilitated these actions by providing funds for the children’s transportation. Meanwhile, Ibrahim Rajab is accused of supporting an ADF operative who channeled funds to the organization.
To substantiate these claims, the prosecution relied on technical analysis of call data, which confirmed regular communication between the accused and other ADF operatives. This evidence was deemed sufficient by the court to meet the threshold required for trial.
The prosecution team, led by Chief State Attorneys Ms. Lillian Omara and Mr. Joseph Kyomuhendo from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, successfully demonstrated the accused’s deep involvement with the ADF. The court’s decision to confirm the charges sets the stage for a comprehensive trial, reinforcing Uganda’s resolve to combat terrorism and protect its citizens.
As the case proceeds to trial, it underscores the relentless efforts of Ugandan authorities to dismantle terrorist networks and bring those responsible for heinous crimes to justice.