The International Crimes Division of the High Court has continued hearing the murder case of former UPDF officer Maj. Muhammad Kiggundu, with one of the accused alleging that he was tortured while in detention following his arrest.
Yusuf Nyanzi, who testified as a defence witness, told the court that he was arrested on the night of May 18, 2017, by unidentified men at a home in Kituusa Zone, Zana, Makindye Division, where he had gone to treat the family of Muhammad Ssenabulya.
Nyanzi said everyone found at the residence was arrested before he was repeatedly questioned about a firearm that investigators believed had been used in the killings of Maj. Kiggundu and former Police spokesperson Andrew Felix Kaweesi.
He denied any knowledge of the weapon, telling the court that he was blindfolded and taken to what he later came to believe was the then Chief of Military Intelligence (CMI) detention facility, where he alleged he was severely beaten and pressured to confess.
According to his testimony, security officers threatened to kill him unless he disclosed the whereabouts of the firearm.
He said that after prolonged torture, he falsely agreed to lead them to a private graveyard in Kawempe Ku Ttaano where the weapon was allegedly hidden.
Nyanzi told the court that despite being ordered to dig at the site, no firearm was recovered.
He further testified that the torture became so severe that he eventually asked the officers to kill him because he could no longer endure the pain.
To support his claims, Nyanzi displayed scars on his hands, shoulder and head, which he alleged were inflicted during the torture.
The allegations were made during the defence case and had not been determined by the court at the time of reporting.
The accused persons jointly facing trial are Sheikh Yahaya Mwanje, Muhammed Buyondo alias Matiya, Yusuf Nyanzi, Abdu Wahab Ssendegeya, Musa Ssekandi alias Masanafu, Jibril Kalyango alias Bin Suleiman, Bruhan Balyejjusa Kalyango and Noordin Lutaya alias Ibrahim Ssemwanga.
The matter is being heard by a panel comprising Justices Suzan Okalany, Alice Komuhangi, Boniface Wamala and Vincent Wagona Khauka.
Earlier in the proceedings, the prosecution, led by State Attorney Jacqueline Akui, informed the court that it had no witness to present.
The defence, represented by lawyers Anthony Asiimwe and Evans Ochieng, subsequently called Yusuf Nyanzi and Jibril Kalyango to testify.
The hearing continues.
By Edith Namwanje
21st July 2026
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