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Uganda’s Shia community leader ‘Dr. Abdul Kadir Muwaya’ |
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Gen Kayihura: Alqaeda Killing Uganda Muslim Clerics
Gen Kayihura addressing a press conference in Kampala on Tuesday (Photo: Kenneth Kazibwe)
The Inspector General of Police Gen Kale Kayihura has revealed that its highly possible that most of the murdered Muslim clerics since 2012 have been gunned down by ADF insurgents.“While we are not ruling out other motives in individual cases, there is strong evidence linking these murders to Al Qaeda affiliate ADF,” Kayihura explained while addressing journalists at the Police Headquarters in Naguru on Tuesday afternoon.
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| Sheikh-Mustafa-Bahiga |
“We have credible intelligence which indicates that the majority of these clerics have been targeted because of their refusal to embrace extremist theocratic ideology; one which promotes the use of violence and terrorism as a tool of social, religious and political change.”
The comments come against the backdrop of sharp criticism of the police for not doing enough to prevent the murders.
Outspoken Muslim leaders on Monday criticized police for failure in carrying out “in-depth” and “fruitful” investigations into the killings that have sent ripples down the spines of security chiefs and put the country on tenterhooks.
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| Sheikh Muwaya at one of his projects in Mayuge District on Wednesday a day before he was killed. PHOTO BY DENIS EDEMA. |
Security chiefs including President Museveni believe ADF is an affiliate of Al Qaeda in the region but several UN reports are yet to link the two deadly extremist groups’ operations.
However, during a meeting of regional leaders in Angola this year, defence officials were directed to carry out a deeper investigation into the ties between ADF, which operates in the North Kivu area of DRC, and Al Qaeda.
What is indisputable is that ADF leader Jamil Mukulu was trained by Al Qaeda in the Middle East.
The rebels struck western Uganda in the late 1990s before being pushed back by the late Gen James Kazini’s Alpine Brigade.
Terrorism
The IGP explained that the recent spate of shootings is not just a series of murders but terrorist acts by both ADF and their Al Shabaab affiliation.
“I look at it as more of terrorism because the pattern is almost the same. There are 2 people on a motorcycle who go on to shoot and kill the clerics. In fact we are trying to analyze this with our sister security agencies and see if they are related or it’s only copy cat but it remains that there is an element of planned and organized crime,” Kayihura noted.
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According to the police chief, many of these clerics have previously been approached by agents of the rebel group and Al Shabaab to help them recruit youth into their ranks to participate in terrorist acts.
“The clerics reportedly rejected these advances and were thus viewed as an obstacle and consequently eliminated. Sheikh Abdul Karim Ssentamu who was killed early this year had even started sensitizing youth not to be lured into such rebel activities and was then killed.”
Kayihura further revealed that there are mosques in different parts of the country where youth are being recruited and trained to join ADF and Al Shabaab activities but warned that these are being monitored and will be dealt with accordingly.
“A number of those being trained are recent converts from Christianity who have been lured because of money. We shall not allow mosques, religion or any other religion for that matter to be misused and abused to prepare and carry out terror activities,” Kayihura warned.
He warned the public against the existing groups which he said are lurking in the shadows with intentions of targeting individuals and carry out indiscriminate attacks.
The Inspector General of Police however refuted claims by Muslim leaders that Police has not done enough to investigate the recent murders and bring culprits to book stressing that almost all of them have been arrested and arraigned before courts of law.
“While we acknowledge the failure to update families and Muslim authorities about the progress of the investigations into the murders, Police has made significant progress. Culprits were tracked down, arrested and charged in courts of law and in fact we are making progress in the two recent murders,” Kayihura revealed.
A one Aaron Madanda, said Kayihura, was arrested and is currently on remand after being found with two pistols which are suspected to have been used in the murder of Sheikh Abdu Karim Ssentamu along William Street in April this year.
“Our investigations led to arrest of one suspect in the murder of Haji Abasi Abubaker Kiwewa who was later granted bail but has since jumped it. In the murder of Sheikh Abdul Khadir Muwaya that happened on Christmas in Mayuge district, we have arrested 16 suspects, ”he revealed
“In the recent murder the investigations are still in the early stages but will keep the public informed about progress regularly.”
Six Muslim clerics have been shot to death since 2012.
They include Sheikh Abdu Karim Ssentamu, Haji Abasi Abubaker Kiwewa, Yunus Madungo, Sheikh Abdul Khadir Muwaya and Sheikh Mustafah Bahiga who was gunned down on Sunday night along Bwebajja road.
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| Top Ugandan Shiite Leader 'Sheikh Dr Abdul Kadhir Muwaya' Shot Dead |
Police link killing of Muslim leaders to ADF rebel group
http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Police-link-killing-of-Muslim-leaders-to-ADF-rebel-group/-/688334/2573582/-/10uygs8/-/index.html
Inspector General of Police Kale Kayihura addresses journalists at police headquarters in Naguru, Kampala yesterday. PHOTO BY Abubaker Lubowa
By ANDREW BAGALA
Posted Wednesday, December 31 2014 at 02:00
Posted Wednesday, December 31 2014 at 02:00
In Summary
Crime. Gen Kale Kayihura says Counter Terrorism unit will protect the Muslim clerics.
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.
“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.
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.
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“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
Extremists Kill 2 Muslim Clerics in Uganda
http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/extremists-kill-muslim-clerics-uganda-27900592
KAMPALA, Uganda — Dec 30, 2014, 10:16 AM ET
A police official says an extremist group is responsible for killing two UgandaMuslim clerics days apart.
Ugandan police chief Maj. Gen. Kale Kayihura said Tuesday the clerics had refused to cooperate with the Allied Democratic Forces, a Uganda extremist group based in Congo.
The clerics were separately shot dead by armed men who used motorbikes to run away after killing the victims.
Sheikh Abdu Kadir Muwaya, head of the Shia Muslim Community in Uganda, was killed on Dec. 23 at his home in Mayuge, about 74 miles east of Kampala. Sheikh Mustafa Bahiiga, a Muslim scholar and the head of Tablig Muslim sect in Kampala district was assassinated Sunday night in the outskirts of Kampala.
In 2012, five clerics were assassinated and police also linked these killings to ADF.
Ugandan Shiite Leader 'Sheikh Abdul Qadir Muwaya' Laid to Rest
http://www.erfan.ir/76716.html
Ugandans turned out in tens of thousands in Mayuge district yesterday to bury Sheikh Abdul Qadir Muwaya (Daktoor) who was shot dead Thursday night.Ugandans turned out in tens of thousands in Mayuge district yesterday to bury Sheikh Abdul Qadir Muwaya (Daktoor) who was shot dead Thursday night.
The burial was attended by many government officials including the Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga, State minister for Foreign Affairs, Asuman Kiyingi and Inspector General of Police, Gen Kale Kayihura, among others.
"Our thoughts are with Haji Umar Bongo, Chairman LC V Mayuge, the family, the people of Mayuge and Busoga at large. To Allah we belong and to Him is our return," Kiyingi had said in an earlier message.
In his eulogy, the Leader of Opposition in Parliament, Wafula Oguttu, wondered "why should someone kill such a God fearing, peaceful, highly respected and developmental man as Dactoor, almost the king of Mayuge?".
"I first met him in 2005 when I visited him at his home for some advice. It's a pity I could not bury him," Oguttu regretted.
Sheik Dr. Muwaya Nkwanga Ali who is also the father to the chairman LC V Mayuge district Omar Bongo was last night gunned down at around 9.30pm local time (EAT), as soon as he reached his home at Buyemba village from prayers.
A very influential leader, Sheikh Muwaya has been the director of the Mayuge-based Ahlul Bait Islamic Foundation (ABIF), through which he constructed over 50 mosques across the country and sponsored education of needy children.
Through the foundation, he always offered animals to Muslims during Eid Adhuha celebrations. I first met the man, who the village folks fondly call Dakhtur in March 2013. He had no bodyguards and no muscle men around him and his attire of tunic and matching leather sandals was no close to that adorned by many religious clerics of today including sheiks, pastors and priests among others.
Two Years ago in a meeting with Iran's cultural attaché Sheikh Muwaya stated his eagerness to meet Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei, Supreme Leader of Iran. He also said he had deep gratitude towards Ayatollah Khomeini and had translated his books to Luganda for people.
Muwaya is remembered for promoting the Shai faith not only in Mayuge district but across the entire country.
Regional police commander of south Busoga, Moses Muluya said they had arrested four suspects believed to be key planners of the killing.
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| IGP Kayihura during Prayers for the soul of late Sheikh Mustafa Bahiga, at Kibuli Mosque |
Archbishop Lwanga consoles Muslims after killings
Publish Date: Jan 03, 2015
By Juliet Lukwago
KAMPALA – The Archbishop of Kampala Archdiocese, Dr. Cyprian Kizito Lwanga has consoled the Muslim community following the killing of two prominent clerics in a space of four days.
Sheikh Mustafa Bahinga and Sheikh Abdul Qadir Muwaya were murdered in similar fashion by unknown gunmen late last year, igniting a lot of anger.
The Archbishop condemned the killings, along with other related acts including child sacrifice, defilement, rape, robbery with aggravation, intentional infection with deadly diseases such as HIV/Aids through blood transfusion.
In his condolence message delivered during a New Year church service in Kampala, Lwanga said killers should stop committing crime.
“The Catholic Church feels great sympathy for all Muslims in the country upon losing such prominent clerics under such deplorable circumstances. Such murderous acts should be condemned in the strongest terms possible. We call upon the killers to stop, as no one is at liberty to take away another person’s life,” he said.
“As we enter 2015 all people should forget hatred and animosity so that we can start living a new life full of respect for humanity and love of one another as one family.”
Lwanga was at St Peter’s Nsambya Catholic Parish in Kampala where he led a Holy Mass.
Sheikh Bahiga, who was the Kampala district Muslim leader of the Tabliqs, was gunned down Sunday night by unknown assailants outside a mosque in Bwebajja, on Entebbe road.
His murder came only four days after the killing of Sheikh Muwaya, the national leader of the Shia Muslim sect in Mayuge district.
The latest killings brought to five the number of Muslim clerics who have been gunned down by assailants travelling on boda bodas (motorcycles) since 2012.
Coincidentally, in all the incidents, victims were killed after attending prayers at a mosque.
Kayihura: ‘I feel a sense of failure’
Gen. Kayihura and Sheikh Obed Kamulegeya during prayers for the late Sheikh Bahiga (Photo credit: Roderick Ahimbazwe)
Meanwhile, the Inspector General of Police, Gen. Kale Kayihura promised to provide security to all top Muslim clerics who are reportedly being targeted by unknown assailants.
This was after Sheikh Nuhu Muzaata, the director of Dawah in the Kibuli-based Muslim faction, claimed he knew the people involved in the murderous scheme.
During prayers for murdered Sheikh Bahiga, Muzaata gave a list to the police boss, saying they are under threat. All the clerics on the list belong to the Kibuli faction.
The list, according to Muzaata, includes: himself (Muzaata), Sheikh Najib Sonko (the head of William Street mosque), Umaru Swidiq Ndaula (leader of the sheikhs), Sheikh Hassan Kirya (Kibuli Muslim spokesperson), Mahmoud Abdallah Kibaate (deputy Supreme Mufti) and Sheikh Haruna Jemba (lecturer at Makerere University).
“There must be law and order in the country. I will also provide security to mosques if you want to ensure this does not happen again,” Kayihura said.
He reaffirmed his earlier stand that the killings of the Muslim clerics were the work of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels.
“I did not know there were other problems because I have been following the joint Muslim committee reports in the media and thinking things are okay. There matters must be sorted out,” he said, and apologized for the Police not protecting Sheikh Bahiga.
“As a person with a duty to protect people, I feel a sense of failure. I am very sorry that we could not keep him alive,” a visbly remorseful Kayihura told a silent gathering.
(Additional reporting by Umaru Kashaka)
Who is killing Muslim leaders?
Tuesday, 30 December 2014 22:59
Two murders of prominent Muslim leaders over a period of three days during the Christmas holiday!I think it is the motive, fashion and frequency that should lead us to the culprits. My quick conclusion – and forgive me for the hastiness – is that this is institutional.
Inspector General of Police Kale Kayihura, even before investigations are complete, blames the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF). He is repeating mistakes he and his boss made after the death of the then Butaleja Woman MP Cerinah Nebanda two years ago.
They first accused the deceased of drug abuse and alcoholism and then sent samples for investigations to the United Kingdom and South Africa.
Adam Kalungi was immediately arrested and accused of supplying narcotic drugs that led to Nebanda’s death. The Nebanda murder has never been conclusively resolved. Kalungi was charged and found guilty of manslaughter and later acquitted!
Mind you, it is only Kalungi that was arrested but there were two other men at Kalungi’s home at the time of Nebanda’s death. I think these two even helped in carrying the deceased to the clinic where she was pronounced dead.
Along Entebbe road where Sheikh Mustafa Bahiga was murdered is like a warzone. On this road, there is a police patrol pickup truck full of policemen almost after every 100 metres.
Forgive my naivety; I thought it is preventing incidents like this that they were deployed there. These fellows are not flowers welcoming visitors from Entebbe airport. So, if murders like this one happen along a road that is almost fortified, what does the Police want us to think?
Let us assume that it is the ADF. Does the IGP want us to believe that the whole country has been infiltrated and all of us are now vulnerable at the hands of ADF?
Look at the frequency this time. Sheikh Abdul-Kadir Muwaya, the leader of Shia Muslims in Uganda, is murdered on December 25 and the IGP rushes to Mayuge.
He threatens to stay there until culprits are apprehended. Before they are apprehended, Sheikh Bahiga is murdered along Entebbe road three days later:and again Kayihura rushes to Kampala. Mind you, those who killed Sheikh Abdul-Karim Ssentamu have never been apprehended; neither have those who killed Hajji Abu-Bakar Kiweewa.
I am one of those who don’t believe in the ADF theory. A lot of Muslims in Busoga have been arrested for allegedly recruiting for the ADF. Why, then, would the ADF kill its agents? Jamir Mukulu, the head of the ADF, was a Tabliq cleric at Nakasero. One would imagine he is targeting these sheikhs for either refusing to support or abandoning him. Why would he then kill Sheikh Muwaya, a Shia Muslim leader who has never been part of the Muslim Tabliq community?
But in any case, even if it were the ADF killing these leaders, where is the government?
Again, forgive me; this government came to power through killings; and I think because of their end-justifies-the-means appetite for power, agents of the state today would continue killing if that is what it takes to keep whatever they consider their advantage.
Therefore to ADF, I would add key agents of the state as a second suspect. And that complicates the puzzle, because suspects will never investigate themselves. If they do, expect a cover-up.
I was at Kibuli during the final prayers for Sheikh Bahiga and I think a third institution was mentioned – the Tabliq section headed by ousted Amir Sheikh Kamoga. Understanding the wrangles in the Tabliq community will require a separate article.
Sheikh Kamoga was the Amir of Tabliqs before the 1998 invasion by dissenting Tabliqs and taking over of Old Kampala. Kamoga, I think, fled to Nairobi when his other colleagues, including Jamir Mukulu were rounded up and taken to Luzira. He continued pulling the strings from exile but Sheikh Sulaiman Kakeeto, who exploited the vacuum, eventually consolidated power.
I think through amnesty and other negotiations, Kamoga returned and joined the late Sheikh Abdul-Hakim Ssekimpi to form a rival Tabliq sect called Salafiyya, headquartered at William street. It is this William street Salafiyya group that eventually threw out Kakeeto.
This group has also now disagreed, leading to the removal of Kamoga. But like Kakeeto, Kamoga has also refused to surrender power. He runs Nakasero mosque and has thrown out his rivals from the William street mosque as well.
The late Mustafa Bahiga was the chief coordinator of the group that removed Kamoga and set off a rivalry that is blamed for his murder. The mistake all these groups have made is to ally with the state. This regime fears an ideologically-united and charged Muslim youth. It has worked with them and knows their strength.
Even those it works with, it will – when need rises – resort to its tested methods such as elimination. We may not know who exactly killed Andrew Lutakome Kayiira, a minister; but the suspicion that he may have been eliminated won’t go away.
Makindye West MP Hussein Kyanjo summed it up well after Nebanda’s death: he said crumbling regimes can bad-mouth, bribe, arrest, torture and kill. He said unfortunately the state also kills its own.
Let all the sheikhs examine their newfound love with this regime. I think it is Baganda who said whatever level of familiarity, never test your friendship with a tiger by putting your fingers in its mouth.
semugs@yahoo.com
The author is Kyadondo East MPsemugs@yahoo.com