Govt persecuting us - Muslims

By Steven Candia

Muslims have accused the Government of selectively using the law to target, harass and intimidate them and demanded for the release of their brothers in illegal detention. They threatened to mobilise themselves if their demand was not heeded.

The Uganda Muslim Youth Association (UMYA), through their national vice-chairman, Imam Iddih Kasozi, levelled the attack at the Government.

Speaking at a press conference at Hotel Africana, Kasozi, who was flanked by association members, accused the Government of arbitrary arrests, illegal detention, torture, harassment, intimidation and leveling trumped-up charges against the Muslim community, allegations the Police have denied.

The Government, through the Police and the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence, he said, was working under the guise of this ‘big ghost of terrorism’ to clamp down on Islam, citing the recent closure of Islamic Madrasas (schools) and threats to arrest Imam’s of mosques “threatened with arrests for teaching Muslim children.”

Kasozi said they had noted, since last year, a deliberate smear campaign against Muslims by State organs, labelling Muslims terrorists and child traffickers and a security threat to the country.

“There is nothing like selective application of the law. In what state are the madrasas? Secondly, should we just free people because they are Muslims, but have committed crimes as individuals?” Judith Nabakooba, the Police spokesperson, asked.

Government spokesperson and information minister Mary Karooro Okurut could not be reached for comment.