Sheikh Yunus Kamoga (Centre in white tunic) during the sentencing at the High Court in Kampala
Kampala.The International Crimes Division of the High court sentenced the leader of the Muslim Tabliq sect in Uganda Sheikh Yunus Kamoga and three others to life imprisonment after they were convicted of terrorism. Others to spend their natural life in jail are Sheikh Siraje Kawooya, Sheikh Murta Mudde Bukenya, and Sheikh Fahad Kalungi, twoothers were sentenced to 30 years in prison while eight suspects were acquitted.
Over the last few years more than a dozen senior Muslim figures have been killed, in most cases gunned down by unknown assailants riding on boda-bodas.
Sheikh Kamoga, who headsTabliqs, a radical Muslim faction, and 13 others were arrested and charged withterrorism and the murder of some Islamic group leaders.
On August 21, 2017 six of them were convicted on the terrorism charges but all were acquitted of murder. Court which was presided over by a panel of three Judges led by Hon. Justice Ezekiel Muhanguzi, sentenced Kakande Yusufu alias Abdallah and Sekayaja Abdulsalam alias Kassim Mulumba to 30 years in jail each. The Hon. Judges said the 30 years was because the convicts were mere followers and not leaders like Sheikh Kamoga.
While reading the judgment, Hon.Justice Muhanguzi saidt errorism is a very serious offence.
"It is a very serious offence. It has devastating impact on individuals,communities and in some cases the environment," he said. "Hence, it's very necessary to protect society from the perpetrators of this offence."
Court on August 21, 2017 established that they committed the terrorism crimes by printing fliers with the names of those targeted inscribed on them and distributed in mosques, holding meetings in their homes from where they planned the killings, sending whatsapp messages with pictures of graves, coffins, bullets to the rival groups.
Court also acquitted Amir Kinene, his brother Hakeem Kinene, Abdul Rashid Sematimba, Hamza Kasirye, Twaha Sekitto, Rashid Jingo, Musa Isa Mubiru and Yiga George William.
Posted 22nd, August 2017
