May 26, 2016
BBC News Africa

[image: Isa Ahmed Luyima]
Image caption Ugandan Isa Ahmed Luyima was the mastermind behind the twin
attacks

The mastermind of the 2010 bomb attacks in Uganda's capital, Kampala, which
killed 74 people, has been found guilty of terrorism.

Ugandan Isa Ahmed Luyima was one of seven to be convicted.

The Somalia-based Islamist militant group al-Shabab said it was behind the
bombings, which happened during a screening of the World Cup final.

This is thought to be the first major conviction of al-Shabab suspects
outside Somalia.

Thirteen men in all were standing trial on charges relating to the attack
on two sites, a rugby club and an Ethiopian restaurant. Six of the men were
acquitted.

The militants targeted Uganda as the country's army provides the largest
number of troops to an African Union force fighting them in Somalia.
 [image: Scene at the Ethiopian Village restaurant in Kampala the morning
after the blast] AP
Image caption The explosions at two venues in Uganda's capital, Kampala,
killed 74 people

The case was brought to court after a major investigation across East
Africa, which was led by the American FBI.

A mobile phone found next to a bomb that failed to detonate helped
investigators track down most of the suspects, says the BBC's Catherine
Byaruhanga in Kampala.

The trial was delayed following allegations by some of the accused,
including Luyima, that they were tortured by regional, US and British law
enforcement agents.

Some also said they were abducted from Kenya or Tanzania and brought to
Uganda to be prosecuted.

The Constitutional Court put aside those claims and said the trial could go
ahead.
Analysis: Uganda’s marathon terror judgement

Catherine Byahuranga

BBC Africa, Kampala

Judge Alphonso Owiny-Dollo took seven hours to read his judgement at the
Uganda World Cup bombings trial today - he took no break.

He found seven of the 13 suspects guilty of terrorism, murder and attempted
murder.

Ugandan Isa Luyima was singled out as the mastermind of the twin blasts in
the capital, Kampala.

He recruited some of the six other people who were convicted here today and
that he planned the attacks, as far as securing a safe house in Kampala.

Six other people were found not guilty of various charges, including
Kenyans Omar Awadh Omar and Suleiman Mbuthia.

In custody for six years, today they can walk free.

This is the first major trial in East Africa of people believed to be
behind al-Shabab attacks outside Somalia.

And the big police presence today in Kampala is a reflection of how the
region has had to tighten up security in the last few years because of the
terror threats.




-- 
Ann Marie

"The art of living consists of knowing what to pay attention to and what to
ignore."  -- Mardy Grothe

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