WHO IS NEXT: Targeted Muslim leaders living in fear

Kampala.

Sheikhs on the infamous hit list of yet-to-be identified assailants have said they are living in fear.
Anxiety in the Muslim community was reignited on Tuesday night with the killing of the Kibuli faction spokesperson, Sheikh Hassan Kirya. He was gunned down at Bweyogerere Trading Centre after 10pm.

Kirya was also on the hit list that was publicly revealed during the funeral of Sheikh Mustafa Bahiga who was killed last December.

The list had Hajj Najib Ssonko and Sheikhs Haruna Jjemba, Umar Swidiq Ndawula, Nuhu Muzaata, Hassan Kirya, Mustapha Bahiga and Mahmood Kibaate.

Sheikh Sonko, one of the three remaining targeted clerics, told Daily Monitor yesterday that he is gripped with fear and anxiety given that the killers are not giving reasons for haunting them.

“Although police have given us security guards, our life is still in danger. We don’t know whether we should opt staying home. We don’t know why we are being killed,” said Sheikh Sonko.

During prayers for Sheikh Kirya at Kibuli mosque on Wednesday, the other targeted Sheikhs vowed not to go into hiding.

“Any one doing these heinous acts should repent before his Lord because killing a soul is not a punishment since death is a route every one of us must tread,” said Sheikh Jjemba.
On his part, Sheikh Ndawula said: “I know I am one of those on the list and I will not hide. Let the killers pursue me anytime they want. After all, we shall all die.”

Sheikh Kibaate urged police to do more to protect the lives of the clerics “than waiting us to be killed and then start making empty promises.”

“But also those behind these heinous killings must understand that the President said when a commander is killed, it does not stop the struggle for the liberation.”

Sheikh Muzaata dared police chief Kale Kayihura to let him lead operations for just two days and he would notice a difference. “We are tired of being killed and no action is taken yet the suspects are known,” he said.

President meets Kibuli sheikhs

President Museveni yesterday met with a section of Muslim leaders from Kibuli at State House, Nakasero.
Hajj Muhammad Kisambira, the Kibuli-based faction secretary general, confirmed the meeting but added that what was discussed was not related to the killings.

“We had an earlier appointment with the President and we were meeting on completely different issues not related to the death of Sheikh Kirya,” Hajj Kisambira said by telephone. He added that they were also scheduled to meet the IGP in the evening.

Presidential Press Secretary Tamale Mirundi also confirmed the meeting.

UMSC tasks govt
Deputy Mufti Hatwib Mukuluwakika said the Muslim community was in a state of “dilemma”.
Sheikh Mukuluwakika told journalists at the Inter-Religious Council offices in Namirembe near Kampala that government appears to have failed to protect the vulnerable. “We appeal to government that if it cannot use its resources, let them forward the matter to international investigators to help.”

IGP told to resign

FDC president Mugisha Muntu asked Gen Kayihura to resign if he feels overwhelmed by his tasks. Gen muntu made the remarks at St Francis Hospital, Nsambya, while visiting a party supporter who was shot during the nomination of Dr Kizza Besigye for the FDC party presidential flag bearer post on Wednesday.

During prayers for Sheikh Kirya, the IGP said he had run out of promises about the killings of Muslim clerics. Gen Muntu said in response: “At that point, the best thing to do is to step aside.”

Guard to face PSU
Police are yet to arrest any suspects. Police spokesperson Fred Enanga said, however, the deceased’s body guard, Mr Muzamir Kalimunda, was in custody and would face the Police Professional Standards Unit to answer charges of negligence of duty. It is said Sheikh Kirya first dropped the escort at Kira Police Barracks before he met his killers.

GOVT PLEADS FOR MORE TIME
In Parliament yesterday, government said it needs three weeks to come up with an explanation for the wave of killings. “It is saddening to lose people, irrespective of whether they are Muslim or not,” Ms Ruth Nankabirwa, the acting Leader of Government Business, said.
“We can give a time frame of three weeks from now,” she said in response to demands from Opposition MPs.

By Frederic Musisi, Joseph Kato, Nelson Wesonga, Farahani Mukisa and Yasiin Mugerwa