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Police raid Nakasero Mosque, several arrested
People gathered at Nakasero Mosque in Kampala on Tuesday morning following police raid that left several guards arrested and offices vandalised. PHOTO BY FAISAL KASIRYE
What you need to know:
- Following the murder of Sheikh Major Muhammad Kiggundu several people including Muslim clerics have been arrested as police continue to search for the killers.
- Kamoga and his group are accused of masterminding the killing of Hassan Kirya, the former spokesperson of the Kibuli Muslim faction, Mustafa Bahiga, the former Kampala District Amir and Doctor Abdul Qadir Muwaya, the top Shia cleric.
A combined team of police and officers from the Joint Anti-Terrorism Task Force (JATT) have raided Nakasero Mosque on Plot 4 Snay bin Amin Street in Kampala.
The officers stormed Nakasero mosque in the wee hours of Tuesday morning and ransacked it. According to Mr Habib Buwembo, one of the spokespersons at Nakasero, the officers broke into the mosque offices and picked up computers and vital documents.
He said 11 of their colleagues who were guarding the Mosque were also arrested and taken to unknown locations.
“During their operation, they vandalized items that include documents and computers. Six motorcycles and Shs50 million for the ongoing construction of Ummah house are also missing. About 11 of our colleagues who were guarding the Mosque were also taken. When we reported the matter at Kampala Central Police Station, we were told that the operation was an order from above and therefore, there’s nothing much they would do to help us,” said Mr Buwembo.
Police spokesperson Mr Andrew Felix Kaweesi confirmed the incident saying police conducted the search and details would be given later.
It is not yet clear whether the raid is connected to the arrest of top leaders of Jamat Dawatil Salafiya including the acting Amir Ummah, Sheikh Yahaya Mwanje and General Secretary, Ayub Nyende among others.
Tension has been high at Nakasero mosque since the top officials were picked by police.
Following the murder of Sheikh Major Muhammad Kiggundu several people including Muslim clerics have been arrested as police continue to search for the killers.
Maj Kiggundu was shot dead together with his bodyguard by unidentified gunmen riding on two motorcycles at Masanafu, a Kampala suburb on November 26th.
Police picked up the acting Amir Ummah, Sheikh Yahaya Mwanje days later for interrogation into the killing. The arrest of Mwanje and his team came at a time the Amir Ummah Sheikh Muhammad Yunus Kamoja and several leaders of Jamat Dawatil Salafiya are facing trial in the High Court International Crimes Division for the murder of several Muslim clerics.
Kamoga and his group are accused of masterminding the killing of Hassan Kirya, the former spokesperson of the Kibuli Muslim faction, Mustafa Bahiga, the former Kampala District Amir and Doctor Abdul Qadir Muwaya, the top Shia cleric.
The trio was gunned down at the different places and dates by gunmen riding on motorcycles.
