The case of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) commander, Rashid Abdul Kyoto, who is accused of killing tourists at Queen Elizabeth National Park, has been pushed to April 4, 2024.

British national David James Barlow, his South African wife Celia Emmarentia Geyer, and Ugandan guide Eric Alyai were murdered in an attack on October 17, 2023, while on safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park in south-west Uganda.

On Wednesday, March 20, the Nakawa Court presided over by Chief Magistrate Erias Kakooza adjourned the matter to April 4, when the suspect is expected to be committed to the High Court to stand trial. 

“A production warrant is issued against the accused to have him produced in court on that date,” Kakooza said.  

In the last court session (March 4, 2024), the Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions, Thomas Jatiko, informed Nakawa Court that investigations into the matter are almost complete.

Jatiko told the court presided over by Chief Magistrate Erias Kakooza that the Police were ironing out a few details before Kyoto is committed to the High Court for trial.

Rashid Abdul Kyoto alias Njovu alias Tembo, 31, a resident of Domain Camp, Mwalika in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), is also battling two counts of terrorism and three counts of aggravated robbery.

The offences elicit a maximum sentence of death, upon conviction.

Allegations

In regard to terrorism, prosecution alleges that Kyoto and others still at large, on October 17, 2023, at Nyamunuka, along Katunguru-Katwe-Kabatoro road, within Queen Elizabeth National Park, in Kasese district, for purposes of influencing the government or intimidating the public and for a political, religious, social or economic aim, indiscriminately without due regard to the safety of others or property carried out serious acts of violence aimed at causing the death of the tourists, all civilians who were not engaged in armed conflict.

In the second count of terrorism, Prosecution purports that Kyoto and others still at large, between October 13, 2023 and October 17, 2023, at various locations within Queen Elizabeth National Park, in Kasese district, burnt two motor vehicles; a Mercedes Benz Cargo Truck and a Toyota Land Cruiser tourist vehicle.

Kyoto and others still at large, are also accused of unlawfully causing the death of Barlow, Geyer and Alyai, with malice aforethought.

They also allegedly robbed Barlow of United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland passports at gunpoint. They also allegedly robbed Geyer unspecified amount of money, Barclays Premier Banking Card No.00041793, British Airways American Express card and the Republic of South Africa passport.

Prosecution further alleges that Kyoto between 2018 and November 1, 2023, at various places in Uganda including Queen Elizabeth National Park in Kasese district, Kampala and in the DRC was a commander and belonged or professed to belong to the ADF, a terrorist organisation.