The High Court in Kampala has instructed the Uganda Prisons Service to conduct a comprehensive mental evaluation on Jamal Kiyemba, a prominent figure facing terrorism charges.
The order was issued by Justice Susan Okalany after Kiyemba’s lawyer, Geoffrey Turyamusiima, raised concerns about his client’s mental well-being. Turyamusiima pointed out that Kiyemba’s speech appeared disjointed and inconsistent, raising doubts about his mental capacity.
Turyamusiima highlighted that despite Kiyemba receiving treatment at Butabika National Mental Referral Hospital, a thorough assessment by the Prison Service was necessary to determine his mental state accurately. This assessment report would play a crucial role in the defense’s strategy during court proceedings.
Expressing his thoughts, Turyamusiima stated, “Now I requested that the Prison Service carries out a mental assessment on our client to establish his state of mind.”
As a result of these concerns, Justice Okalany ordered the prison authorities to conduct the assessment promptly and present the findings in court on October 5, 2023.
Kiyemba faces charges related to supporting a terrorist group, affiliating with or professing allegiance to a terrorist organization, and actively seeking support for a terrorist outfit.
These charges were officially confirmed in May 2023 by Judge Alice Komuhangi Khaukha of the International Criminal Division Pretrial.
According to the prosecution, Kiyemba is alleged to have been associated with the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a designated terrorist organization, between 2021 and January 2022. The prosecution asserts that Kiyemba, along with others, recruited individuals for ADF’s activities in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). On January 29, 2022, it is alleged that Kiyemba called for support for ADF at Kampala’s Old Taxi Park.
The prosecution also presented evidence suggesting that Kiyemba has held radical Islamic beliefs since 1999 and has openly expressed support for various terrorist groups, including Al Qaeda, Al-Shabaab, and ADF.
The case summary outlines that in 2006, Kiyemba connected with Jamil Mukulu and joined the ADF terrorist organization. He was deeply involved in recruiting and training members of the terrorist outfit.
Records indicate that in January 2022, Kiyemba was apprehended while shouting “Long Live ADF” and encouraging people to back the organization. He was on his way from Ben Kiwanuka Street in Kampala to Bugiri District when he was arrested.
Kiyemba’s history reveals that he converted to Islam after his father’s death and changed his name from Anthony to Jamal. He pursued studies in the United Kingdom and was later detained in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, for four years before being released in 2006. Kiyemba received compensation for wrongful imprisonment and human rights abuses before being sent back to Uganda.
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