JUST IN: 4 Arrested in Bugiri Sheikh Murder

At least four people have been arrested in connection with the assassination of a Muslim cleric in Bugiri district, Eastern Uganda.

Sheikh Mutumba Masudi, 60, the Imam of Iwemba Mosque, Iwemba Sub-county, Bugiri, was gunned down on Friday night at his home as the country celebrated Valentine’s Day.

Busoga East Regional police spokesperson, ASP James Mubi announced on Saturday morning that detectives were “actively investigating a case of murder by shooting.”

Mubi observed: “We can confirm that four suspects are in custody at CPS Bugiri, to help in investigations.”

He, however, quickly added that, “the hunt for the prime suspect by our joint security team is underway.”

Mubi also disclosed that an exhibit (cartridge) of an AK 47 riffle was recovered “and has been submitted to our forensic experts to establish which gun was used in committing the crime.”

The shooting which occurred at 9:00pm, will send shockwaves in the Muslim community in Uganda.

Clerics have been targeted by assassins in recent years.

Police have since accused terror group, ADF, whose headquarters is in DRC, for masterminding the killings.

Cases of civilians being targeted by gun-wielding men are not so prevalent in Uganda.

Gun violence

In 2018, police recorded 79 deaths by shooting in rural areas, 102 cases in urban areas and 9 on the highways – bringing to 190 the total number of people killed by guns in a single year.

President Museveni recently rolled out a security master plan to counter criminality.

It comprised installation for surveillance cameras in urban areas, registration of motorcycle riders, electronic number plates and deployment of thousands of Local Defence Units (LDUs) in many unsecured places across Uganda.

Mubi said police will “continue to work around the clock to investigate the motive of this shooting and bring all those involved to book.”

Mutumba was at his residence in Busimba village, Iwemba sub-county, when an unknown man shot him at close range.

“He was shot by a single bullet targeted to his head and he died instantly,” said ASP Mubi.

“Upon receiving information, our technical team headed by the Regional CID, Scene of Crime officers and commanders visited the scene and cordoned it off to start investigations.”

In 2014, Muslim cleric Sentunga of the Salaf sect was on his way home when some unidentified people ambushed him.

As he approached where the thugs were hiding, one of them disembarked a motorcycle and shot the Sheikh thrice.

Some of the Muslims clerics killed in recent years include businessman Abu Baker Kiweewa Mohammad who was shot dead at his Prime Supermarket in Kyanja.

Sheikh Abdu Karim Sentamu was shot in Kampala city centre.

Other high profile citizens killed by assassins include prosecutor Joan Kagezi, Mohammed Kirumira among others.

The annual crime report shows the year 2018 saw a decrease in the volume of crime by 5.2%, where 238,746 cases were registered compared to 252,065 cases registered in 2017.

Cases taken to court in 2018 were 73,035. Of these, 22,263 cases secured convictions, 1,248 cases were acquitted while 90,763 cases were still under inquiry by the end of the year.