UPDF: We have Sheikh Mwanje in CMI cells

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Defence and Army Spokesman, Brig Gen Felix Kulayigye has confirmed that Sheikh Yahaya Mwanje was arrested by the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence and he is in their cells.

Sheikh Mwanje was arrested on Monday at the mosque of Salafiya Tablique Muslim Community in Nakasero by five men who led him into a Toyota Hiace infamously known as a ‘Drone’ with registration number UBM 187E.

But Sheikh Mwanje’s whereabouts had remained a mystery since no security agency had claimed responsibility for his arrest and people were describing the act as abduction. However, Brig Gen Kulayigye has told URN that the former Amir Ummah of Salafiya Tablique Muslim Community at Nakasero was picked by CMI over security matters.

“He is suspected of engaging in security matters, we shall know,” Brig Gen Kulayigye briefly said.

Siraji Kifampa, the Spokesperson of Jamatil Tablique Muslim Community, told URN yesterday that the sheikh was picked at around 8:30 am though his arresters did not tell anyone reasons why he was being arrested.

Before Sheikh Mwanje’s arrest, CMI first picked Sheikh Muhammad Buyondo alias, Matiya and Abdul Wahab Sendegeya both Boda-boda riders at Old Taxi Park and residents of Kyengera, in Wakiso district and Musa Sekandi, alias Masanafu.

This is not the first time Sheikh Mwanje has been arrested by CMI in collaboration with other security agencies. He was first arrested over the shooting to death of Sheikh Maj Muhammad Kiggundu. Maj Kiggundu was killed in a hail of bullets on November 16, 2016 at Masanafu alongside his driver cum body Sergeant Stephen Mukasa.

Even in December 2016, Sheikh Mwanje was arrested alongside Sheikh Buyondo. The duo spent nearly four years in jail and they were released on court bail on September 16, 2020.

At the time of arrest in 2016, Sheikh Mwanje had spent a year serving as Amir Ummah after replacing Sheikh Yunus Kamoga who had been also arrested a year earlier on accusations of masterminding killings of more than 12 Muslim clerics who included   Sheikh Adbul Muwaya, Sheikh Mustafa Bahiga and Sheikh Hassan Kirya.

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URN