Police on spot over detained sheikhs

KAMPALA. The Tabliq Muslim sect Amir (leader), Sheikh Muhammad Kamoga has called on all the Muslim factions in the country to set aside their differences and unanimously call to an end on the terror against their community.
Sheikh Kamoga, who was addressing a news conference at Nakasero mosque, said it was unfortunate that Muslims are silent on matters affecting them as citizens in the country.
“It is very unfortunate that we [Muslims] are quiet and simply engaging in premeditated differences, when the enemy is striking hard on us. We need to unite our voice and put government to task to stop the terror against Muslims community, because currently it is taking advantage of our weaknesses to mismanage the terror on us,” Mr Kamoga said.
Mr Kamoga’s call comes barely a week after police admitted to have arrested and detained the five sheikhs who were reported missing under mysterious circumstances last week. They include Sheikh Ssiraje Kawooya, Sheikh Rashid Jjingo, Sheikh Abdu Salam Ssekayanja, Sheikh Twaha Ssekito and Sheikh Yusuf Kakande, went missing on the Tuesday night.
“We shall not accept to be treated like as if we have no stake in this country. I am calling upon all Muslims, whether you belong to Kibuli, Old Kampala, Nakasero or William street, let’s come together to demand for our share in the country, we need to be secure and not to be terrorized,” he said after the recent Friday prayers.
Police on spot
Mr Kamoga accused police of taking sides and interests with particular groups of Muslims instead of ensuring safety of all.
“Why would police help a group of people to break our mosque at William Street, besiege it and even steal the offertories in the boxes, why, if police is there to protect people and their properties?” Kamoga asked.
“Police should produce the thugs they [police] removed from Masjid Noor at William Street and if they don’t, we shall be left to think that police know and connive with the groups that are terrorizing the Muslim community,” Sheikh Kamoga said.
Mr Kamoga was alluding to an incident last year in December, when police raided Masjid Noor and arrested six people who besieged and took over the mosque at Plot 30 William Street in Kampala.
Police spokesperson Fred Enanga, said then, they had gone to Masjid Noor to oversee the transfer of power since Sheikh Kamoga had been voted out of office.
A total of five Muslim clerics have been shot dead under mysterious circumstances in the different parts of the country since 2012.
Sheikh Kamoga threatened to demonstrate if police does not release the sheikhs (arrested last week) or produce them before court.
Foundation for Human Rights Initiative (FHRI) Executive Director, Mr Livingstone Sewanyana, the Executive Director of the, observed that the manner in which the said arrests were conducted is condemnable as it infringes on human rights.
“The developments point to the fact that there is a need to avoid discriminate arrest because it infringes on people’s human rights. No one should be detained for more than 48hours without trial,” Mr Ssewanya said.

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