The Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Norbert Mao has signed the order okaying the extradition to Michael Katungi to the US to face charges related to cocaine and arms trafficking.
In a September, 1 warrant of surrender, Mao directed the Commissioner General of Prisons to release Katungi to representatives authorised by the US government to receive and transport him to stand for trial.
“ I Nobert Mao, Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs of the Republic of Uganda, in exercise of the powers conferred upon me by section 12 of the Extradition Act, Cap. 124, and pursuant to the decision and committal order of the Chief Magistrate’s Court at Buganda Road, Kampala, hereby order and that Michael Katungi Mpeirwe presently in lawful custody in Uganda, shall be surrendered to the Government of the United States of America for the purpose of being conveyed to the United States of America to stand trial in respect of the specific offences for which his extradition was requested and authorised,” Mao said in the extradition order.
He directed that Katungi is handed over to the authorised representative of the Government of the United States of America convey him from Uganda into the jurisdiction of the United States of America in accordance with section 12(3) of the Extradition Act, Cap. 124.
“The surrender contemplated by this warrant shall be effected in accordance with the laws of the Republic of Uganda, the applicable extradition arrangements and any applicable conditions governing the surrender.”
Following the signing of the extradition order by the minister, Buganda Road Chief Magistrates Court has issued a release order to the officer in charge of Murchison Bay Prison in Luzira where Katungi is being held to have him released and handed over the Director of Public Prosecutions to facilitate his extradition to the US.
The charges
Katungi is wanted before the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia on three counts: conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine; conspiracy to possess firearms, including a machine gun and destructive device, in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime; and conspiracy to provide material support or resources to a designated foreign terrorist organisation.
