The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) revealed a foiled assassination attempt on former Inspector General of Police Gen Kale Kayihura by extremist members of the Tabliq sect in Uganda.
According to the ODPP, four individuals—Okuku Sadam Umalu, Osinya Colline, Ojambo Joseph, and Lwanga Abudala—were implicated in a conspiracy to murder plot against Kayihura. They had also been charged with theft and two counts of conspiracy to murder at the International Crimes Division of the High Court.
The incident unfolded between May and June 2016 when the accused stole two AK-47 rifles with 60 rounds of live ammunition from Nakudi Police Post in Namayingo District, eastern Uganda. A gunshot heard at a resident’s home in Sirowa Village in Namayingo triggered a police operation leading to the arrest of the suspects.
During interrogation, the accused confessed their intentions to use the stolen firearms to rob and eliminate individuals perceived as obstructing the activities of the Tabliq sect, including Kayihura, Captain Okumu (DPC Namayingo), and the RDC.
Kayihura’s increased security operations targeted suspected Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) terrorists following the assassination of prosecutor Joan Kagezi in March 2015. The suspects implicated in Kagezi’s murder, John Kibuuka, John Masajjage, Dan Kisekka, and Nasur Abdullah, were later arrested and remanded to Luzira Prison.
Kayihura was subsequently removed from his position as IGP and faced charges related to the illegal repatriation of Rwandan refugees, which were later dropped by the court martial.
The ODPP disclosed that the criminals also admitted to previous thefts, including a gun stolen from a policeman in 2015, used in various robbery attempts.
In a plea bargain arrangement, the accused pleaded guilty to the charges and were sentenced by Justice Andrew Bashaija to eight years’ imprisonment for each count, to run concurrently. The ODPP was represented by Mr. Kyomuhendo Joseph, Chief State Attorney.
