Source: www.persecution.org
Date: October 24, 2023
Uganda (International Christian Concern) — Nine terrorist suspects were recently sent to the High Court by the Buganda Road Chief Magistrates Court to face terrorism charges.
The nine men were accused of being members of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), an Islamic extremist group allied with the Islamic State that is based in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Western Uganda.
The extremists on trial have allegedly attacked government officials, police stations, and supermarkets throughout Uganda. The initial charges were expanded further when the suspects appeared before the Chief Magistrate, and additional findings were released.
According to the Independent-Uganda, “The prosecution alleges that between 2021 and 2023 in diverse places in Central and Eastern Uganda, the suspects attacked several government facilities, fuel stations, security guards, and police officers, resulting in loss of lives, injuries, and property.”
The prosecution stated that it will present irrefutable video evidence of one of the suspects robbing a supermarket. Prosecutors said the “suspects have no valid defense to the crimes whatsoever and will ask the court to convict them accordingly.”
The case is incredibly important as it relates to the state of religious freedom in sub-Saharan Africa, specifically in the DRC and Uganda. The ADF has caused instability in the region for decades, taking the lives of thousands and making living and even travelling to the region nearly impossible.
Just this past week, two tourists and a Ugandan were killed on a safari trip near ADF territory. International Christian Concern (ICC) is encouraged to see the government taking a clear stand against the ADF through this court case, demonstrating the severity of terrorism charges through the decision to try the case in the High Court.
We praise God for his perfect justice, and we pray for our hearts to be aligned with his as it says in Psalm 86:11 “Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.”
HOW TO PRAY: Pray for these militants to come to know the love of Christ. Pray for the ADF to lose its influence in the region. Pray for healing for all those who have been affected by the ADF.