Justice Susan Okalany of the Crimes War Division of the High Court has confirmed charges against Sulaiman Nsubuga alias Ibrahim Nkata alias Mzee Lweza of being a member of a terrorist organisation which is contrary to sections 14(b) and 12(1xa) and Anti Terrorism Act.
Justice Okalany cited Nsubuga’s charge and caution statement where on his own account provided important evidence of his connection to a gazetted terrorism organization the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF).
Nsubuga stated that he was a member of Usafi Mosque where he attended teachings with Swalleh Abubaker alias Isaac Mupeeta alias Dog City alias Fufo boxer alias Tom Kivuruge who informed him and others that their Muslim brothers were in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) fighting for Islamic rights and teachings noting that they were encouraged to join them in that cause.
In his own statement, Nsubuga told detectives that because of Dog City’s teachings, he took a tough decision of sending his own son to DRC to join radicals who were fighting for Islam.
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“He neither questioned nor took any action against this, nor did he report it to the authorities. This evidence is particularly relevant when considered alongside his own admitted association with the persons and teachings that encouraged participation in the conflict in the DRC,” the judge stated in her ruling.
Nsubuga further confirmed to detectives that he frequently received financial assistance from Meddie Nkalubo one of the top ADF commandants in DRC via mobile money.
However, the judge established that the phone numbers used for the said transactions were not registered in Nsubuga’s names but he acknowledged that he operated them.
It was the said transactions that helped detectives to trace and arrest Nsubuga because Nkalubo was frequently sending money to Nsubuga.
Nkalubo was also using Binance account through Dog City to transmit funds to Nsubuga on multiple occasions which linked him to a terrorism organization.
“A2’s (Nsubuga) conduct following the revelation that he was the Imam of persons alleged to have been behind the Kampala bombings is also relevant. He stated that, upon learning of the allegation, he went into hiding. While this conduct, standing alone, may not establish membership of the ADF, it assumes significance when considered alongside the other evidence linking him to the organization,” the judge stated.
The judge further confirmed charges against Dog City of being a member of a terrorism organisation and facilitating terrorism basing on the evidence produced by state prosecutors led by Thomas Jatiko.
According to the evidence, Dog City was in touch with Nkalubo and Arafat Kiyemba and all commandants of ADF and he transmitted funds either physically or via mobile money.
The evidence further disclosed that Dog City used Binance account registered in the name of Amran Alawi Moham.
State disclosed that it was Dog City who recruited Nsubuga, Augustine Kalanzi and Anthony Mubiru alias Aspect in the terrorist organisation and encouraged them to participate in teachings which encouraged Muslims to join their purported brothers fighting in the DRC.
Dog City according to the evidence, was operating in DRC, South Sudan, South Africa, Tanzania and Zambia where he was arrested from and was deported back to Uganda to face terrorism charges in 2024.
According to Court documents, Dog City was providing funds, directly or indirectly, by creating a Binance virtual asset account in the name of Mohammed Amran Alawi.
Through this account, he together with the accused persons mobilised, received, and transmitted funds via mobile money platforms and procured arms, ammunition, watches, power banks, and supplies intended for the ADF.
State further alleges that between 2018 – 2023, at various locations in these countries, the accused person’s primary activity was to link eastern DRC, Uganda and neighboring countries.
State claimed that ADF operated training camps in eastern DRC led by their commanders Sheikh Musa Baluku, Mzee Wakazi (Luminsa), and Nkalubo alias Kibanda
The accused persons alleged that they received large sums of money, sent through intermediaries from Zambia to Uganda, along with electronic items between October 2020 and 2024.
The accused persons hid their identity, received and converted cryptocurrency before transferring it to individuals linked to senior ADF commanders.
The prosecution plans to rely on cyber forensic, cryptocurrency, and financial records as evidence and maintained contact with senior ADF leaders via WhatsApp and Telegram, joining several related massaging groups.
Through a charge and caution statement, Dog City narrated his involvement, which the prosecution will rely on in court.
“ln light of the evidence presented above, I conclude that the prosecution has adduced evidence which, at this juncture, establishes substantial grounds to believe that the accused persons committed the offence,” the judge stated.
The judge further directed prosecution to add to the indictment new counts against Giry Girmaley Batange alias Mugufuli and Anthony Mubiru for contributing to acts of terrorism contrary to Sections r3 (1Xb) and 17(r) of the Anti-Terrorism Act, possession of firearms and ammunition contrary to Section 4 (2Xb) of the firearms Act Cap 320 and unlawful importation of firearms and ammunition contrary to Sections 27(1) and (3) of the firearms Act, Cap 120.
In 2021, after the general elections, terrorists attacked Kampala and exploded bombs at parliamentary Avenue and at Kampala Central Police Station where more than three people including suicide bombers were killed, more thirty-three people survived with serious injuries.
