DPP drops charges against King Mumbere

By Racheal Najjuma

13^th June 2023

The Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) has dropped all charges against Rwenzururu King Charles Wesley Mumbere and his subjects.

The charges which have been withdrawn before the International Crimes Division-ICD Court presided over by Lady Justice Alice Komuhangi Khaukha include murder, terrorism, treason, malicious damage to property, attempted murder, and aggravated robbery, among others.

The group comprised of 218 suspects had specifically been implicated in the September 14^th, 2016 double murder of two Police Constables Saverio Ochema and Simon Peter Apille, and attempted murder of Detective Police Constables Polycarp Ojoko, Benon Byaki, Francisco Nsimaki, and Assistant Inspector of Police Denis Ahebwa.

According to the State, Mumbere and his subjects also murdered a Police Constable Godfrey Kasimba on March 24^th, 2016 who was formally attached to the defunct Field Force Unit.

The prosecution also alleges that Mumbere and his subjects attacked several police establishments and property at Bukara and Nyabutsi villages in July and November 2016.

Omusinga was arrested together with his royal guards in November 2016 when the police and the army raided his Buhikira palace in Kasese where over 136 people were killed.

When the case returned for pre-trial conference, on Tuesday, the state represented by Lilian Omara, Marion Benbella and Jackline Okui told court that the accused had applied for amnesty and therefore the proceedings were discontinued.

Accordingly the trial judge, Alice Komuhangi Kaukha ordered that those on remand at Jinja Main prison and Luzira prison and those on bail should be discharged.