Police warns public over Mufti case

Nov 16, 2008

THE Police will deal with anyone calling for violence over the ruling on the Mufti expected today. The Police and other security agencies had deployed to ensure business is not disrupted as is the case whenever demonstrations take place in the city.

By Herbert Ssempogo

THE Police will deal with anyone calling for violence over the ruling on the Mufti expected today. The Police and other security agencies had deployed to ensure business is not disrupted as is the case whenever demonstrations take place in the city.

“We have arrangements to counter attempts to disturb the peace,” Police chief Kale Kayihura told reporters in Kampala on Friday.
Already, he said, detectives were investigating Muslim leaders who have called congregations to engage in violence after the ruling.

The Police are not taking the utterances lightly, Kayihura said. However, he did not name anyone, saying investigations were going on.

“I have instructed the CID to examine the statements and hold answerable whoever is making utterances or engaging in mobilisation for violence,” he said.

He said during Juma prayers on Friday, some religious leaders attempted to incite their followers to violence and to destroy property, particularly in the city.

The Uganda Muslim Supreme Council Mufti, Ramadhan Mubajje, vice-chairman Hassan Basajjabalaba and secretary general Dr. Edris Kasenene are accused of illegally selling Muslim properties.

The officials, on trial at the Buganda Road Court, are also accused of embezzlement and forgery. A section of Muslims took them to court about two years ago.

Muslims who wish to attend the court session today, according to Kayihura, should sit inside the courtroom instead of gathering around the court premises.

He urged them to remain calm whatever the verdict and to appeal to the High Court if the decision was not in their favour.

“There is no need to beat war drums. The country is governed by constitutionalism.”

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