LUWEERO: Panic has gripped the Muslim leadership in Luweero District after security operatives arrested two Muslim clerics in the area.
According to Luweero District Kadhi Sheikh Ramadhan Mulindwa Nsanja, Sheikh Swaibu Segujja, the Imam of Butanza mosque in Katikamu sub county; and Sheikh Muhammed Ssemwanga, the Imam of Lusenke mosque in Wobulenzi town council were picked up on Sunday afternoon by heavily armed security operatives traveling in an omnibus commonly known as ‘drone’.
He said the operatives first raided the home of Sheikh Segujja in Butanza village in Katikamu sub-county, where he was picked up along with his wife and mother. They later went to Kituntu village in Nakaseke district where they picked Sheikh Ssemwanga from his farm.
According to Sheikh Mulindwa, the operatives later released Sheikh Segujja, his wife and mother. He however said that Sheikh Ssemwanga is yet to regain his freedom. Sheikh Mulindwa notes that he visited Sheikh Segujja and recounted his arrest shortly after his release, indicating that he was grilled about what he does for a living.
The arrest of the two clerics comes days after the shooting of Sheikh Muhammad Abbas Kirevu.
The senior Muslim cleric in Makindye Ssabagabo division, Wakiso district was killed at his other home in Katereke-Nsangi, Kyengera township on suspicions of running a terror cell.
On Monday, November 22, 2021, Uganda Police Spokesperson, CP Enanga Fred noted that in further efforts to deter and disrupt terrorism, security agencies are actively monitoring all spaces in homes, places of worship, which are acting as domains for recruitment and as collection centres, for children who are introduced to ideological messages and beliefs.
“We want to reiterate that the arrested persons are not targeted for their beliefs, ideology, religion, because that would make us, appear biased. The public should know that as long any individual or groups partakes in, engages or conspires to engage in, facilitates the engagement of acts of violence, or commit other crimes of violence they are deemed to be in total breach of the law and the peace and safety of Ugandans,” added Enanga addressing allegations that the police are targeting and killing Muslims.
