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Inspector General of Police Kale Kayihura addresses journalists at police headquarters in Naguru, Kampala yesterday. PHOTO BY Abubaker Lubowa
By ANDREW BAGALA
KAMPALA. The Inspector General of Police, Gen Kale Kayihura, has linked the killing of the Muslim leaders to revenge from rebels of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF).
The police chief said the pattern of killings is similar to previous deaths of Muslim leaders, saying they are carried out on those opposed to Islamic extremism.
The police chief said the pattern of killings is similar to previous deaths of Muslim leaders, saying they are carried out on those opposed to Islamic extremism.
“We have credible intelligence which indicates that the majority of these Muslim clerics have been targeted because of their refusal to embrace extremist ideology; one which promotes use of violence and terrorism as a tool of social, religious and political change,” Gen Kayihura told journalists yesterday.
Preceding events
Gen Kayihura’s comments come after the shooting of Sheikh Mustafa Bahiiga, the Kampala District Amir (leader), at Bwebajja on Entebbe Road on Sunday, and that of Shiite Muslim sect leader Sheikh Abdu Kadir Muwaya, who was shot dead in Mayuge District on Christmas Day.
Gen Kayihura said the Muslim clerics were contacted by agents of ADF and Somali militant terror group al-Shabaab to support their recruitment drive but they rejected their approaches.
He said the two Islamic militant groups treated the slain Muslim leaders as obstacles or saboteurs to their terror schemes and targeted them for elimination.
“We have contacted the Muslim clerics and I have instructed some of my officers from Counter Terrorism [squad] to give them protection and also ensure that their offices are guarded,” Gen Kayihura said.
Several Muslim leaders, especially in Busoga sub-region, have been targeted by gunmen in recent times.
Gen Kayihura cautioned the youth against ADF inducements to join criminal and terrorism schemes but also warned that the security agencies will not allow mosques, which he didn’t name, to be used for terror activities.
He refuted claims by Muslims that police have failed to conclude investigations into the killings of their leaders.
“Culprits were tracked down, arrested and charged in courts. We are also making good progress in the investigations in the two recent murders,” Kayihura said.
Gen Kayihura’s comments come after the shooting of Sheikh Mustafa Bahiiga, the Kampala District Amir (leader), at Bwebajja on Entebbe Road on Sunday, and that of Shiite Muslim sect leader Sheikh Abdu Kadir Muwaya, who was shot dead in Mayuge District on Christmas Day.
Gen Kayihura said the Muslim clerics were contacted by agents of ADF and Somali militant terror group al-Shabaab to support their recruitment drive but they rejected their approaches.
He said the two Islamic militant groups treated the slain Muslim leaders as obstacles or saboteurs to their terror schemes and targeted them for elimination.
“We have contacted the Muslim clerics and I have instructed some of my officers from Counter Terrorism [squad] to give them protection and also ensure that their offices are guarded,” Gen Kayihura said.
Several Muslim leaders, especially in Busoga sub-region, have been targeted by gunmen in recent times.
Gen Kayihura cautioned the youth against ADF inducements to join criminal and terrorism schemes but also warned that the security agencies will not allow mosques, which he didn’t name, to be used for terror activities.
He refuted claims by Muslims that police have failed to conclude investigations into the killings of their leaders.
“Culprits were tracked down, arrested and charged in courts. We are also making good progress in the investigations in the two recent murders,” Kayihura said.
Disguise involved
He said some of the ADF suspects in the previous killings of Muslim leaders had acquired Christian names. ADF is an Islamic extremist group which has been fighting the Uganda government since 1996 when it launched its attack on western Uganda from its rebel bases in eastern DR Congo.
Cases of murder by shooting are still high, with more than a person gunned down every two days. At least 192 people were killed by shooting in 2013.
He said some of the ADF suspects in the previous killings of Muslim leaders had acquired Christian names. ADF is an Islamic extremist group which has been fighting the Uganda government since 1996 when it launched its attack on western Uganda from its rebel bases in eastern DR Congo.
Cases of murder by shooting are still high, with more than a person gunned down every two days. At least 192 people were killed by shooting in 2013.
PROGRESS on PREVIOUS CASES
April 20, 2014: Sheikh Abdu Karim Ssentamu shot dead at Ben Kiwanuka and William Street junction. Aaron Madanda was charged in court. Case still pending.
June 22, 2012: Hajji Abasi Abubaker Kiweewa. Luke Balaba was arrested for his killing, charged with murder but released on bail. He later escaped. He is now on the run.
November 1, 2012: Younus Abubaker Madungo shot dead in Bugiri District. Five suspects were arrested and charged with the murder. Muzafaru Mugoya Kawule, Musa Ndabanji, Sheikh Twaha Nurdin Baligeya later jumped bail. They are on warrant of arrest.
Two other suspects, Bashir Mwanda and Abdu Rashid Kalenge were also charged with the same offence and are on remand.
December 25, 2014: Sheikh Abdul Khadir Muwaya killed in Mayuge District. Six suspects are in detention.
June 22, 2012: Hajji Abasi Abubaker Kiweewa. Luke Balaba was arrested for his killing, charged with murder but released on bail. He later escaped. He is now on the run.
November 1, 2012: Younus Abubaker Madungo shot dead in Bugiri District. Five suspects were arrested and charged with the murder. Muzafaru Mugoya Kawule, Musa Ndabanji, Sheikh Twaha Nurdin Baligeya later jumped bail. They are on warrant of arrest.
Two other suspects, Bashir Mwanda and Abdu Rashid Kalenge were also charged with the same offence and are on remand.
December 25, 2014: Sheikh Abdul Khadir Muwaya killed in Mayuge District. Six suspects are in detention.
CREDIT SOURCE: DAILY MONITOR
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