The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Luwero, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The office of the Luwero District Kadhi has embarked on the registration of all imams and other religious leaders at mosques following the arrest of clerics over alleged links to Allied Democratic Forces.
On Sunday, security personnel arrested Sheikh Swaibu Segujja, the Assistant Secretary for Zakat under the Luwero Muslim District and the Imam of Butanza mosque in Luwero district.
They also arrested Sheikh Muhammed Bruhan Ssemwanga, the Imam of Lusenke mosque in Wobulenzi town council and teacher at Lugo Orphanage in Lukomera, Katikamu sub-county, and Rashid Ibn Warid Islamic Primary School in Wobulenzi town council.
They were arrested over investigations into the role of ADF in multiple bomb blasts in Kampala city last week. Imam Segujja was later released after interrogation but Imam Ssemwanga was transferred to Special Investigations Unit, Kireka for further investigations.
Sheikh Swaibu Segujja said that the operatives released him after explaining to them that he doesn’t know the whereabouts of his sister Aisha Nassanga and her husband whom they were looking for questioning over links with ADF.
The Luwero District Kadhi Sheikh Ramadhan Mulindwa says that in wake of the arrests and others that happened before, they have directed all imams to register with his office through the county sheikhs.
Mulindwa also directed the imams to register all religious leaders that work at mosques in the district. He said that the registration exercise will help his office to trace and defend the imams in case of arrest regarding terror activities or any other criminal activity.
Mulindwa said that they are always challenged when some imams are arrested but they are unable to follow or defend them because they are working at mosques without their knowledge.
There are over 280 mosques in Luwero district, but 70% of imams operate them without knowledge of Luwero Muslim district.
Hajji Shafik Mwanje of Kasana Mosque said the exercise is welcome because once imams are arrested, the Muslims expect the Kadhis to follow up which is difficult if they are not registered.
On Saturday, President Yoweri Museveni said the state has a list of suspects in multiple bomb blasts in Kampala city and they will arrest them all.
Museveni said the country will know the details of their links to terror activities when they appear in court.
In September this year, police raided Markaz Ibun Hajarai School in Namaliga zone, Bombo town, Luweero district where they arrested 50 children and the director of the school, Sheikh Uthman Yasin Nsubuga. They were later released but children reunited with families.
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