Gen Kayihura: Alqaeda Killing Uganda Muslim Clerics The Inspector General of Police Gen Kale Kayihura has revealed that its highly possible that most of the murdered Muslim clerics since 2012 have been gunned down by ADF insurgents. While we are not ruling out other motives in individual cases, there is strong evidence linking these murders to Al Qaeda affiliate ADF,” Kayihura explained while addressing journalists at the Police Headquarters in Naguru on Tuesday afternoon. We have credible intelligence which indicates that the majority of these clerics have been targeted because of their refusal to embrace extremist theocratic ideology; one which promotes the use of violence and terrorism as a tool of social, religious and political change.” The comments come against the backdrop of sharp criticism of the police for not doing enough to prevent the murders. Outspoken Muslim leaders on Monday criticized police for failure in carrying out “in-depth” and “fruitful” investigations into the killings that have sent ripples down the spines of security chiefs and put the country on tenterhooks. Security chiefs including President Museveni believe ADF is an affiliate of Al Qaeda in the region but several UN reports are yet to link the two deadly extremist groups’ operations. However, during a meeting of regional leaders in Angola this year, defence officials were directed to carry out a deeper investigation into the ties between ADF, which operates in the North Kivu area of DRC, and Al Qaeda. What is indisputable is that ADF leader Jamil Mukulu was trained by Al Qaeda in the Middle East. The rebels struck western Uganda in the late 1990s before being pushed back by the late Gen James Kazini’s Alpine Brigade. Terrorism The IGP explained that the recent spate of shootings is not just a series of murders but terrorist acts by both ADF and their Al Shabaab affiliation. “I look at it as more of terrorism because the pattern is almost the same. There are 2 people on a motorcycle who go on to shoot and kill the clerics. In fact we are trying to analyze this with our sister security agencies and see if they are related or it’s only copy cat but it remains that there is an element of planned and organized crime,” Kayihura noted. According to the police chief, many of these clerics have previously been approached by agents of the rebel group and Al Shabaab to help them recruit youth into their ranks to participate in terrorist acts. “The clerics reportedly rejected these advances and were thus viewed as an obstacle and consequently eliminated. Sheikh Abdul Karim Ssentamu who was killed early this year had even started sensitizing youth not to be lured into such rebel activities and was then killed.” Kayihura further revealed that there are mosques in different parts of the country where youth are being recruited and trained to join ADF and Al Shabaab activities but warned that these are being monitored and will be dealt with accordingly. “A number of those being trained are recent converts from Christianity who have been lured because of money. We shall not allow mosques, religion or any other religion for that matter to be misused and abused to prepare and carry out terror activities,” Kayihura warned. He warned the public against the existing groups which he said are lurking in the shadows with intentions of targeting individuals and carry out indiscriminate attacks. The Inspector General of Police however refuted claims by Muslim leaders that Police has not done enough to investigate the recent murders and bring culprits to book stressing that almost all of them have been arrested and arraigned before courts of law. “While we acknowledge the failure to update families and Muslim authorities about the progress of the investigations into the murders, Police has made significant progress. Culprits were tracked down, arrested and charged in courts of law and in fact we are making progress in the two recent murders,” Kayihura revealed. A one Aaron Madanda, said Kayihura, was arrested and is currently on remand after being found with two pistols which are suspected to have been used in the murder of Sheikh Abdu Karim Ssentamu along William Street in April this year. “Our investigations led to arrest of one suspect in the murder of Haji Abasi Abubaker Kiwewa who was later granted bail but has since jumped it. In the murder of Sheikh Abdul Khadir Muwaya that happened on Christmas in Mayuge district, we have arrested 16 suspects, ”he revealed “In the recent murder the investigations are still in the early stages but will keep the public informed about progress regularly.” Six Muslim clerics have been shot to death since 2012. They include Sheikh Abdu Karim Ssentamu, Haji Abasi Abubaker Kiwewa, Yunus Madungo, Sheikh Abdul Khadir Muwaya and Sheikh Mustafah Bahiga who was gunned down on Sunday night along Bwebajja road. chimpreports/gen-kayihura-alqaeda-killing-ugand…/
Posted on: Tue, 30 Dec 2014 15:04:52 +0000
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