Cleric killings: Kayihura assures Muslims on trial

The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Gen. Kale Kayihura has assured Muslims that the police and the judiciary are working closely to ensure that cleric murders suspects face trial expeditiously.

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Kayihura made the remarks at King Fahad Islamic Primary School Busega at the closure of a three-day annual Muslim conference which was opened by the Mufti of Uganda Sheikh Ramadhan Mubajje.

He said that although the trial has been delayed, they should remain calm as the police and the court fix the matter for hearing.

"I know the situation at hand is painful but let the law take its course. Violence has no impact on the trial of the suspects."

The police chief was responding to claims by the Tabliq Muslims over the delayed trial of their colleagues. He asked the Muslims to stay calm and have trust in the judiciary.

 Among those awaiting trial include Amir Ummah Sheikh Muhammad Yunus Kamoga who was committed to High Court in April this yearto face trial over the murder of Sheikh Mustafa Bahiga at Bwebajja on Entebbe road.

Others suspects  include; Sheikh Murta Bukenya, Sheikh Fahad Kalungi, Hakim Kinene, Muzamilu Kasawuli, Arafaat Serunjogi, Badru Bukenya, Alex Okot, Joseph Olanya, Amir Kinene, Aisha Nakasibante and Charles Okidi.

Sheikh Siraje Kawooya, Abdusalaam Sekayanja, Abdul Hamid Mubiru, Rashid Jjingo, Twaha Sekitto, Yusuf Kakande, Arajab Mubajje, Dr.Aggrey Kiyingi, Isa Matanda, Kibirige Solomon, Asadu Ssemwogerere and Hajji Abudalatif Byamukama are also suspects.

Kayihura said the Criminal Investigations and Intelligence Directorate (CIID) has a lot of cases to handle and that's why investigations are still ongoing.

He commended the organizers of the conference for demonstrating a sign of unity in the Muslim community which has been lacking, and pledged to support the Tabliq Ummah House project through lobbying funds for the project from his allies in the Arab world.

He pledged to ensure unity within the different Muslims factions in Uganda in his reign as the IGP.

The conference which was organized along the theme of peace, unity and development was attended by Muslims from Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi and Tanzania.

"Through peace and unity, there is development. Muslims will not achieve the development when divided," said Kayihura.

On his part, the acting Tabliq leader Sheikh Yahaya Mwanje said that Tabliq Muslims are not the enemies of the government as some people claim but that they only want to be fully committed to their faith without interference.

He commended Kayihura for being supportive to the Tabliqs, which he said has overturned people's perception of them.

Since 2012 some 12 Muslim clerics have been gunned down by unknown assailants in Uganda.

Some of the sheikhs include: Hassan Ibrahim Kirya, Abdul Rashid Wafula, Mustafa Bahiga, Dr. Abdul Kadir Muwaya, Abdu Karim Sentamu, Hajj Abubaker Kiweewa, Yunus Abubakr Mudungu, Muhammad Maganda and Abdu Jawali Sentunga.