Fear, anger as another Muslim cleric is killed

Kampala- A huge cloud of fear laced with uncertainty hung over Kibuli mosque as a crowd of somber Muslims gathered to pray for a cleric shot dead on Sunday night.

Sheikh Mustafa Bahiiga, the Kampala District Amir of the Jamu-i-yyat Dawah Al-Salafiyyat, was gunned down shortly before 8pm at Bwebajja Mosque on Entebbe Road where he was going for Ishah (evening) prayers.

As Muslim leaders eulogised Sheikh Bahiiga during the dhuwa (prayers for the repose of his soul), they decried the increased rate of targeted murders and lack of conclusive investigations by police in last three years.

The speakers and family members also accused several colleagues whom they claimed had a hand in slaying the 54-year-old.

“I was with my father after he was shot. He told us to take him to the hospital and told us to always be Muslims. When we took him to Namulondo Clinic, the medics asked us who Kamoga is because our father kept saying that it was him (Kamoga) who took his life,” Mujahiid Bahiiga Mustafa, one of the sons to the deceased, said.

A group of Muslims led by Sheikh Yunus Kamoga had been locked in a feud with one led by Sheikh Bahiiga over the management of a city mosque at Plot 30 William Street.

Sheikh Kamoga had recently dismissed officials, including Sheikh Bahiga from the management of the mosque which has been under contention since 2005.

In the same year, the administration of Mufti Shaban Mubajje was accused of selling the mosque to city businessman Hassan Basajjabalaba who later sold it to another businessman, Mr Drake Lubega.

Another killing
He is the second Muslim cleric to be murdered in a space of four days. On Christmas Day, the leader of the Shia Muslim Community in Uganda, Sheikh Abdu Kadir Muwaya, was shot dead by unknown assailants at his home in Mayuge District.

Prince Kassim Nakibinge Kakungulu, the titular head of the Muslim community in Uganda, broke down after he started his speech at the Dhuwa prayers at Kibuli mosque.

“He was a calm teacher. There is no doubt that the job of protecting citizens is for government through the police. He is not the first to die like this, years have passed and without answers. I discussed with the IGP that Muslims are calm, but not out of weakness,” Prince Nakibenge said.
The deceased is survived by 13 children and three widows.

Kayihura admits failures, apologises

The Inspector General of Police, Gen Kale Kayihura, who first held a meeting with the Muslim leaders at Kibuli Mosque offices publicly apologised for what he described as a weakness in the police force.
“As a person who is responsible to protect life, I feel I have failed. I feel a sense of failure that we could not protect him but I am a human being. If you want to crucify me, do so,” Gen Kayihura said. The police chief, however, pointed out that the weaknesses in the force were being sorted out.

“There must be law and order in this country. Our job is law enforcement, without it, we are finished,” Gen Kayihura said.

He said the killings of the Muslim clerics were ordered by Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebel group. “What is clear is the Sheikhs were killed by ADF but we need to find the individuals who did it.” He ordered Mr Haruna Isabirye, the Kampala Metropolitan Police Commander, to restore the status quo at Masjid Noor mosque.

The head of the Kibuli Muslim faction, Zubair Kayongo demanded for the formation of a special group set up to investigate the murders. “If it is coming from us, it should be investigated. Make sure there is a special organ to help with investigations,” he said.

‘Muslim leaders not targeted’

Police said the separate back-to-back killings of Muslim leaders are not related and should be looked at independently.

Police spokesperson Fred Enanga yesterday told journalists that although the killings are separated by just four days, it is unlikely that the killers are after Muslim leaders in the country.

“Although the killings were done similarly using a boda-boda and a gun, we can’t say that someone is targeting the Sheikhs in the country,” Mr Enanga said.

Mr Enanga’s comments came shortly after the killing of Nakasero Tabliq Muslim sect leader Sheikh Mustafa Bahiiga at the Bwebajja Mosque on Sunday evening by unknown assailants.

On Christmas Day, Sheikh Abdul Kadhir Muwaya, the leader of the Shiite Muslim sect, was also gunned down by unknown assailants as he rested at his home in Mayuge District.

“It seems the perpetrators were surveying and trailing him for a long time because someone engaged him on the phone and the killers used the chance before he could leave his car to shoot him,” Mr Enanga said.
The killings have raised eyebrows among the Muslim community but police have said they will bring the culprits to book.

“We also want to find out who was talking to him at the time of shooting and whether the person engaging him was close and what they were discussing.

“We are currently looking at the possibility of family wrangles and misunderstandings in the leadership of the mosque and commercial circles,” the police spokesperson said.

Archbishop Lwanga mourns slain cleric

The Archbishop of Kampala, Dr Cyprian Kizito Lwanga, has condemned the killing of Muslim leaders, saying this is contrary to the national motto, “For God and My Country”.

Archbishop Lwanga made the comments in the wake of the murder of Sheikh Mustafa Bahiiga, who was killed on Sunday evening.
The Archbishop called for unity of all religions as a way of showing the universality of God.

“When stealing or killing, you should ask yourself if you are doing it for God and your country. Religion should not separate us. I condemn these killings because they do not mirror any religion and it should stop,” he said while addressing members of the Mmamba Clan at Pope Paul IV Memorial Centre yesterday.

Clan project launched
The clan met yesterday to launch a five-year development plan beginning with Mmamba Development Finance Limited.
Archbishop Lwanga called for unity among clan members, saying it was the only thing that would see the fruition of any development plan.

He added that Muslims and Christians are not so different because both believe in the imminent coming of Jesus Christ and the judgment.

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