Kayihura camps in Mbale after Muslim cleric killing

By Charles Etukuri

The Inspector General of Police General Kale Kayihura traveled to Mbale following the brutal killing of a Muslim leader, Sheikh Rashid Wafula.

Sources in police told New Vision that the police would camp in the region and that Kayihura would personally supervise investigations into the murder.

Wafula was shot dead by unknown people at around 9pm local time Thursday at the gate of his home in Kireka village Nakaloke Town Council, Mbale district.

He was shot five times in the chest by people who trailed him. So far police has arrested four people who include the deceased’s brother.

Wafula was the Imam of Bilal Mosque in Mbale Town and has also been one of the founding directors of Nakaloke Islamic primary and secondary schools.
 

Gen. Kayihura and Sheikh Obed Kamulegeya during prayers for the late Sheikh Bahiga (Photo credit: Roderick Ahimbazwe)

This is not the first incident involving the killing of top Muslim clerics.

Late last year, Sheikh Mustafa Bahiga was shot dead at the Bwebajja Mosque on Entebbe road.

Shortly before that incident, Sheikh Abdul Muwaya the Shiite leader was gunned down at his home in Mayuge district.

Police arrested several suspects who included Muslim clerics are now in court answering to charges of murder and terror-related cases.

However other cases of other Muslim clerics killed in similar fashion remain unanswered.

In 2012, Hajj Abubaker Kiweewa and Sheikh Abdul Karim Ssentamu were also shot dead.

Police linked their shooting to the Allied Democratic Front (ADF), a rebel group led by Jamil Mukulu who was arrested early this month in Tanzania.



Also related to this story

Another Muslim cleric gunned down in Mbale

Archbishop Lwanga consoles Muslims after killings