Government drops charges against Mumbere, 217 others

However, the state has chosen to solely bring charges against Mashereka Kamada and Prime Minister Thembo Kasubire of the Rwenzururu Kingdom.

As a result, individuals in custody at Luzira Prison and Jinja Main Prison on remand, as well as those on bail, have been ordered to be released right away by Judge Alice Komuhangi Kaukha of the High Court's International Crimes Division.

This came about as a result of the prosecution, which was led by Lillian Omara, presenting documents to the court that showed the state had lost interest in the case.

Mumbere and his co-accused were accused of terrorism, murder, and attempted murder among other offences.

The alleged crimes were allegedly perpetrated between July and November 2016 in the Kabalore district's Bukara Village, Kabonero Sub-County, and Nyabutsi Village, Karangura Sub-County.

Mumbere and the group are accused of committing the aforementioned crimes with the intention of intimidating or influencing the government or a group of people for social, political, religious, or economic reasons, according to the prosecution.

The prosecution had additionally contended that the crimes were committed indiscriminately without due consideration for the security of other people or property when the defendants directly or indirectly participated in the killing of police officers, army personnel, and members of the public, attacked various police facilities, in addition to illegally producing explosives and ammunition.

Police constables Simon Peter Apile and Saverio Ochema, as well as those he allegedly "attempted to murder" Deputy AIP Denis Ahebwa and police constables Polycare Ojoko, Fransico Nsimaki, and Benon Byaki, were among the people Mumbere was accused of killing in September 2016.

Thembo, the prime minister of Rwenzururu, has reportedly told the trial judge that he is unaware of the standards by which the administration excluded others while keeping Mashereka and him in.

On July 11, 2023, Thembo and the other defendant are required to appear in court once more.