Sheikhs arrested over Maj Kiggundu’s death

What you need to know:

  • The killing. Maj Kiggundu and his bodyguard, Sgt Stephen Mukasa, were shot dead by unidentified assailants who were riding on two motorcycles on November 26.

Kampala.

Police have arrested four Muslim clerics from Nakasero Mosque in connection with the murder of Maj Muhammad Kiggundu who was gunned down alongside his body guard in Masanafu, a Kampala suburb.

Maj Kiggundu and his bodyguard, Sgt Stephen Mukasa were shot dead by unidentified assailants who were riding on two motorcycles on November 26.

Sources within police told Daily Monitor that police detectives have since Monday picked four sheikhs- all from Nakasero Mosque and a boda-boda cyclist over the death of Maj Kiggundu. Three sheikhs were picked from their respective homes and the fourth from William Street in Kampala.

Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Emilian Kayima yesterday confirmed the arrest of some suspects but didn’t reveal the names.

“Yes, there are some people we have arrested in connection with [the death of Maj Kiggundu] but I am yet to get the names. I will get the names from the handlers later,” Mr Kayima said.

Mr Siraje Kifamba Nsambu, the acting Nakasero Mosque spokesperson, said Mr Abdul Mu’minu Said was picked by security operatives on Monday while at a boda boda stage on William Street. Mr Kifamba also said the operatives on Wednesday night also picked Sheikh Ayub Nyende, Mr Umar Ausi Kamoga, and Sheikh Ismail Kasibante.

“All clerics were arrested late in the night by plain clothed security personnel and taken to unknown destinations,” Mr Kifamba said, adding: “We are living in fear because we don’t know who will be arrested when and for what.”

Mr Kifamba said they [Nakasero Mosque leadership] will organise a press conference (today) at 10am and invite police to explain to the country why they are arresting Muslim leaders and why they are being detained.

Mr Kifamba also told Daily Monitor that police detectives tried to arrest Mr Isa Tumwesigye, another Muslim cleric from Nakasero Mosque but he managed to escape although, reportedly, with a fractured hand.

The arrest of the four Muslim clerics brings the number of suspects arrested in connection with the murder of Maj Kiggundu to 12. Of these, include six Muslim clerics, three security operatives and three boda boda operators who were picked from Old Taxi Park in Kampala.

Sheikh Yahaya Mwanje, the acting Tabliq leader, who was arrested a day after the killing of Maj Kiggundu, has been in police cells without trial. His continued detention according to Muslim leaders at Nakasero Mosque is “a violation” of his rights and the current laws.

Meanwhile, Flying Squad Unit (FSU) in collaboration with Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) and Joint Anti-terrorism Task Force (JAT) is reported to have recovered five guns in the ongoing hunt for Maj Kiggundu’s killers.

A police source told Daily Monitor that the guns were recovered from homes of the six suspects who have been arrested by FSU in collaboration with JAT in connection with the death of Maj Kiggundu.