Four individuals have been handed an eight-year jail term by the International Crimes Division of the High Court in Kampala. Their conviction stems from a plot to assassinate former Inspector General of Police, Gen Edward Kale Kayihura, and Namayingo District Police Commander, Maj Francis Okumu.
Okuku Sadam Umalu, Osinya Colline, Joseph Ojambo, and Lwanga Abudala were found guilty of theft and two counts of conspiracy to commit murder by Justice Andrew Bashaija. This verdict came as a result of a plea bargain agreement with Chief State Attorney Joseph Kyomuhendo.
The court learned that between May and June 2016, the accused stole two AK-47 rifles with 60 rounds of live ammunition from Nakudi Police Post in Namayingo District, Eastern Uganda. Following a gunshot at a resident’s home in Sirowa Village, an operation was launched, leading to the arrest of Okuku and his associates.
During interrogation, the defendants admitted to stealing the firearms with the intent to rob and eliminate individuals perceived as obstacles to the Tabliq sect’s mission, including Gen Kayihura, Maj Okumu, and the Resident District Commissioner. They also confessed to previously stealing a gun from a policeman in 2015 and using it in various robbery attempts in Eastern Uganda.
The judge upheld their plea agreement, sentencing each convict to eight years on each count, to be served concurrently.
