Religious leaders task security personnel to investigate terror attacks

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Religious leaders under the Inter-Religious Council of Uganda (IRCU) have tasked security personnel to thoroughly investigate acts of terrorism.

The religious leaders led by the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, the Most Rev. Dr Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu addressed journalists on Wednesday following two twin explosions at the IPS building opposite Kampala Capital City Authority-KCCA, and the quarter guard at CPS Kampala on Tuesday.

“We as religious leaders are deeply disturbed by the trend of terrorism which appears to be gaining ground in our country. We must never let terrorism win,” Kaziimba read the joint statement.

According to police, six people including three suicide bombers were killed and 33 people were injured. President Yoweri Museveni later identified the suicide bombers as Musa Mudasir, Wanjusi Abdullah, and Mansoor Uthman.

The religious leaders said that terrorism is indiscriminate and does not resolve issues and plunges the population into fear and panic. They appealed to all people involved in acts of terrorism to reflect and put the nation and safety of the people first.

Archbishop Kaziimba read the statement in the company of Mufti of Uganda, Sheikh Shaban Ramadan Mubajje, Msgr Charles Kasibante, Pastor Joseph Serwadda, Bishop Joshua Lwere and others.

Kaziimba said that it is a collective responsibility as citizens to resist terrorism tendencies by promoting dialogue. He also appealed to Ugandans to be vigilant, take extra measures and cooperate with the police in protecting people.

Sheikh Mubajje said that terrorism should not be associated with Islam since it is a religion that represents peace and emphasizes dialogue.

Bishop Lwere said that in their call for dialogue, the IRCU is not apportioning blame to any of the political groupings in the country.

Pastor Joseph Serwadda also emphasized the need for dialogue to settle the divisions within the country.

Tuesday’s bomb blasts came less than a month after two other bombs exploded in Komamboga and along Masaka road in a Swift Bus and killed two people.

Security in Kampala remains very tight with counter-terrorism police still combing the two explosion sites for any evidence.

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