UGANDA: Muslim Cleric Assassinated By Gunmen In Uganda

Another tragedy struck on Tuesday evening when Sheikh Ibrahim Hassan Kiirya was shot dead by assailants travelling on a motorcycle as he drove home in Bweyogerere, Kira Town Council, Wakiso District.



Sheikh Kiirya is the 12th Muslim cleric to be killed in a period of two years, and the fourth this year alone. The others include: Sheikh Abdul Rashid Wafula who was shot dead in Nakalole - Mbale, Sheikh Dr Abdul Qadr Muwaya of Mayuge, Abdul Karim Ssentamu and Hajj Abubaker Kiweewa who was shot dead at his supermarket in Kyanja.

Hajj Mustafa Bahiga was gunned down on Entebbe Road near a mosque in Bwebajja, Sheikh Yusuf Madangu of Bugiri, Sheikh Abdul Jawad of Namayemba Mosque (Bugiri), Hajj Sebaggala Abdulrahman, and Sheikh Abdu Karim Sentamu killed in Kampala, are among other prominent clerics that have lost their lives in similar manner.

To date, no conclusive reports about any of the killings have been made public.

Kiirya, who has been the head of the Munazzamat al-Da'wa al-Islamiyya in Uganda, and the spokesman of the Kibuli Muslim faction, reportedly informed Uganda Police that he feared for his life after a number of Muslim clerics were killed, and guards were assigned to him, which is commendable.