The High Court of Uganda has ordered a formal judicial inquest into the 2018 [1] shooting of Yasin Kawuma.
This ruling opens the door for a public inquiry into one of the most politically sensitive killings in the country. The case has remained unresolved for years, fueling tensions between opposition supporters and the state.
Kawuma served as the driver for Robert Kyagulanyi, the opposition leader widely known as Bobi Wine [1]. The shooting occurred in Kampala, Uganda, in 2018 [1]. Because the death remained unresolved, the court's decision to mandate an inquest is seen as a step toward establishing legal accountability.
According to reports from the Nile Post and AllAfrica, the order paves the way for a public inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death [1]. The process is intended to determine the facts of the killing, and identify those responsible for the attack on the vehicle.
Legal representatives and supporters of Kyagulanyi have long sought answers regarding the incident. The judicial inquest will allow for the presentation of evidence, and the testimony of witnesses in a formal setting to address the gaps in the original investigation [1].
Observers said the move is significant given the political climate in Uganda. The shooting of Kawuma was not viewed as a random act of violence, but as a targeted attack linked to the political activities of the opposition leader [1].
“The High Court has ordered a formal judicial inquest into the 2018 shooting of Yasin Kawuma”
The court's mandate for a judicial inquest shifts the investigation of Yasin Kawuma's death from a standard police matter to a public judicial process. This increases the pressure on the Ugandan government to provide transparency regarding the 2018 shooting and may serve as a critical legal precedent for other unresolved political killings in the region.
