Tabliq Leader Back From Exile

Oct 19, 2001

ANOTHER leader of the Muslim Tabliq sect, Sheikh Murtadha Bukenya, returned home after three years’ exile in Kenya, Tanzania and South Africa.

By Geoffrey Kamali ANOTHER leader of the Muslim Tabliq sect, Sheikh Murtadha Bukenya, returned home after three years’ exile in Kenya, Tanzania and South Africa. Bukenya, who yesterday met with Muruli Mukasa, the state minister for security, in the UTV boardroom, said he fled the country in 1997 after being listed among the country’s most wanted terrorist suspects. Bukenya was one of the ring-leaders of the Salaf Foundation, a section of the Tabliqs, who attacked Nakasero mosque after wrangles broke out among sect leaders in 1996. He was arrested by the Police with 63 others, charged with treason and remanded in Luzira prison for a year before he fled to Kenya. Muruli Mukasa yesterday said Bukenya had taken advantage of the good political situation to return home. He said Bukenya did not return under amnesty but that he would not be charged again and advised Muslims to resolve their conflicts peacefully. Bukenya said, “We never fought the government, it was only a wrangle between us (Tabliq leaders) but we were charged with treason. I felt I was mistreated, I never thought of joining rebels.” The meeting was attended by the Presidential Advisor on Political Affairs, Hajat Anuna Omari and the leader of another faction of the Salaf, Sheikh Abdul Hakim Ssekimpi. Others were Sheikhs, Mohammed Kiggundu, who returned from Kenya recently, Mohamed Kibale and Mustafa Bayiga. Anuna said the confusion among Muslims had been resolved. She urged them to guard the peace and unity secured by the government. Bukenya said he still does not recognise Sheikh Sulaiman Kakeeto as amir of the Tabliqs but that they would resolve the issue peacefully this time. Ends

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