Tabliq leader committed to High Court for trial over terror charges

KAMPALA. Tabliq Muslim sect Amir (leader), Sheikh Muhamad Yunus Kamoga is among the Seven Muslims who have been committed to High Court for trial over murder and terror related charges.
Nakawa Magistrate’s court referred sheikh Kamoga and six others to the High Court in Kampala after the Director of Public Prosecution, Mike Chibita presented an indictment saying investigations into the case were complete.
He was committed along with Sheikh Ssiraje Kawooya, Sheikh Rashid Jjingo, Sheikh Abdu Salam Ssekayanja, Sheikh Twaha Ssekito, Sheikh Abdulhamid Mubiru and Sheikh Yusuf Kakande.
The group is accused of several counts including the recent murder of two Muslim clerics, crimes against humanity and one count of attempted murder.
According to the indictment read to the suspects by Nakawa Grade One Magistrate Timothy Lumunye, investigations into the matter disclosed that the late Sheikh Mustafa Bahiga (victim) was a preacher at the mosque situated at William Street Kampala commonly known as William Street Mosque.
“That over the years, there were leadership wrangles at the said Mosque which led to creation of cliques fighting to take lead. These leadership cliques divided the followers into those suspected of spying for the government security agents and those who were not,” read part of the indictment.
Reading the indictment further, the magistrate said the suspected government spy agents were time and again referred to as snakes. Sheikh Bahiga was among those branded as snakes. Later, fliers were circulated in the mosque, naming the snakes and warning fellow Muslims to shun them.
The indictment further reveals that there were several meetings held between the suspects, one of which was at Sheikh Kawooya’s (accused’s) home and it was resolved that snakes should be eliminated.
Meanwhile, the same court has preferred fresh charges of aiding or rendering support to ADF rebels and associates to be used in acts of terrorism against 11 other people. They include; Sheikh Murta Mudde Bukenya, Sheikh Fahad Kalungi Hakim Kinene Muswaswa, Muzamilu Kasawuli, Arafaat Serunjogi, Badru Bukenya, Alex Okot, Joseph Olanya, Amir Kinene, Aisha Nakasibante and Charles Okidi. They were initially charged alongside Sheikh Kamoga.
“Plea is not taken for lack of jurisdiction. Accused persons are remanded until February 26 for the mention of the case,” said Mr Lumunye before the suspects, were led back to Luzira prison.
However, leaked court document have linked Australian cardiologist Dr Aggrey Kiyingi to the recent murder of the two Muslim clerics.
According to the documents handed over to court by Ms Anne Ntimba Kairu, the State Prosecutor, Dr Kiyingi through his Federal Alliance rebel group recruited and offered logistical support to former ADF rebels. The state says the hired hit-men murdered the two clerics.
Prosecution alleges that the group with others still at large between December 2014 and January 5, 2015 at Kavule ward Buyemba Mayuge District , Bwebajja and Watuba Matugga Wakiso District with intent to intimidate the public or sections of the Moslem faith and for a political, religious, social or economic aim involved themselves in a systematic way directed attacks towards shia and Tabliq Moslems which resulted into murders.
Court heard that the suspects allegedly shot and killed Sheikh Bahiga at Bwebajja Mosque on Entebbe Road and the Shiite leader, Sheikh Abdul Qadr Muwaya, at his home in Mayuge District on different days last month.