The International Crimes Division of the High Court has issued a warrant of arrest against Shafic Kasujja one of the eight suspects implicated in the gruesome murder of former Police Spokesperson Andrew Felix Kaweesi after absconding from the trial.
The Court presided over by Justice Alice Komuhangi Khaukha issued the warrant of arrest against Kasujja after a successful request by the Prosecution led by State Attorney Richard Birivumbuka.
Kaweesi was shot dead on 17th March, 2017 together with his body guard Kenneth Erau and driver Godfrey Mambewa.
As a result, eight people including Kasujja were arrested and charged with murder, aggravated robbery , terrorism, aiding and abetting terrorism and belonging to a terrorist organization the Allied Democratic Forces -ADF.
The rest of the accused persons were all present in Court except Kasujja who was granted bail but has since not returned to court.
As a result, the Prosecution led by Birivumbuka told court that Kasujja was granted bail about four years ago but he absconded from trial, and he has not attended court for more than one year .
Birivumbuka said when court issued criminal summons on May 2nd 2023 requiring him to attend court, they were retrieved and taken by Police Officer Detective AIP Benard Kimutwa who proceeded to effect service.
He said that Kimutwa proceeded to Kasujja’s place of residence towards Kitintale, and the Local Council One of the area where he was residing (name withheld because the Chairperson wanted it so for his safety) , informed him that the accused person disappeared from the village sometime back together with his family members .
Birivumbuka added that Kimutwa also found the house where Kasujja used to stay locked and abandoned .
The Court heard that the Chairperson LC One told the Police Officer that a one Ziwa Muzamiru who is Kasujja’s relative reported to Kitintale Police Station about his disappearance. The Court has also heard that Kimutwa proceeded to Kitintale Police and indeed found that a case of disappearance had been reported under reference number 42/21/22/12/2021.
According to Birivumbuka, although the court had also issued criminal summons to Kasujja ‘s sureties requiring them to come to court and explain on his whereabouts, when Detective AIP Kimutwa was on his way to Lwengo District where they are residing, he got an accident and didn’t serve them.
Birivumbuka added that they have looked for Kasujja everywhere in the Police Custody in Uganda and they didn’t trace him . But they have information that he has since reunited with the Allied Democratic Forces-ADF, a gazetted terrorist group in the neigboring Democratic Republic of Congo.
The has now adjourned the case upto May 23rd 2023 for mention.
The Judge has also further sent back on remand three of the accused persons who have been in prison on other charges .
Report by: Betty Zziwa
