Main suspect in murder of Bugiri Imam arrested – Police

Bugiri, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The main suspect in the murder of Sheikh Mutumba Masudi of Bugiri has been arrested today, Police has revealed.

The suspect has been identified as Mugoya Abiyasad a supervisor of SGA Private security Company.

Upon interrogation, the suspected shooter admitted to having shot and killed the victim.  He further provided details that led to the recovery of the gun at Rubaga, which went missing on the 14/02/2020 at around midday.

The task team also impounded an Ipsum motor vehicle that transported the killers from Kampala to Bugiri, and arrested the driver.

Teams from the Criminal Investigation Directorate – CID headquarters and Flying Squad Unit – FSU were at the weekend dispatched to join territorial police in Busoga East to ensure Sheikh Mutumba’s assailants are arrested.

Sheikh Mutumba was gunned down on Friday night at his home at Busimba village, Iwemba Sub-county, by assailants who reportedly trailed him from the mosque. Sheikh Mutumba was an Imam at Iwemba Masjid Mosque.

Police Spokesperson, Fred Enanga had confirmed on Monday that the teams had started the hunt for a lone gunman said to have murdered the Imam. Police already have in their custody the Boda boda rider who transported Mutumba’s killer and another accomplice.

The preliminary findings of detectives indicate that Mutumba was killed over a land wrangle. The plot to kill Mutumba was allegedly planned at the home of one, Suleiman Koyita also a resident of Busimba village who reportedly had a dispute with Mutumba over land.

The suspects already in custody have allegedly indicated in their statements that they knew Mutumba and the victim also knew them. This is the reason why Mutumba rushed to come out of his house when he was called out.

Mutumba was shot once in the head killing him instantly. Police adds that a judgment regarding the deceased’s court victory over a piece of land was to be delivered by court on February 20th.

The Boda boda rider in his statement at Bugiri police has reportedly said the gun wielder quickly jumped onto his bike after killing Mutumba with a single shot. But the alert messages sent out to various police stations resulted into the interception of the Boda boda rider and the other accomplice before they had gone far.

Enanga said six other suspects all from the family that was bickering with Mutumba over a piece of land have also been arrested. Police said Mutumba’s murder is not in anywhere connected to his faith, cleric title he possessed or the previous murders of Muslim clerics.

Police insist the crime was purely an act of vengeance over land. More than 12 Muslim clerics were shot dead between 2012 and 2016 by gunmen moving on motorcycles. Among these include Sheikh Abdul Dakhtur Muwaya, Sheikh Mustafa Bayiga, Sheikh Hassan Kirya and Sheikh Maj Muhammad Kiggundu.