Slain Sheikh Bahiga Feared for his Life
IGP Kayihura during Prayers for the soul of late Sheikh Mustafa Bahiga, at Kibuli Mosque
The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kale Kayihura has said police will investigate high profile Muslim leaders believed to be behind the murder of Sheikh Mustapha Bahiga.
The Muslim cleric was gunned down on Sunday, at 8pm, outside the Bwebaja Mosque where he had gone for prayers.
Before his death, Sheikh Mustafa Bahiga had told his family and friends that his life was in danger following the fallout with leaders at the Noor mosque located on William Street.
The deceased is said to have mentioned the name of a Muslim leader, he believed was behind his shooting, to his three children who were with him in the car minutes before he died.
Speaking during prayers at Kibuli mosque, Kayihura said preliminary investigations indicate that the assailants used similar techniques as were used in the murder of Muslim cleric, Abdul Khadir Muwaya on Christmas day.
When you look at the murder of Doctor, the people who killed him were two and on a boda and shot him twice in the chest and those who murdered Sheikh Bahiga same story. They were on a boda, two of them and shot him many times in the chest. Same pattern, we have leads but we do not want to reveal too much and for the lead given by the deceased, we shall follow it.}
According to Sheikh Umar Sadiq Ndawula, the head of Sheikhs in the Shia Muslim community, Sheikh Bayiga was murdered due to the ongoing conflict over the management of Noor mosque, located on plot 30, William Street, Kampala.
The 54 year old Sheikh was one of the key leaders in the fight for the management of the Noor mosque at William Street.
A faction had appointed him the leader of the Kampala District Amir of the Jamiyati Dawa Asarafia, a Tabliq sect.
Sheikh Bahiga name was on the list of 10 other Sheikhs that were listed as not wanted in Islam by anonymous people who distributed leaflets to Muslims in Uganda last week.
Others listed include; Sheikh Sonko Najid, Umar Swidiq, Ibrahim Hassan Kirya, Haroon Jemba, Mahmood Kibate among others.
The Noor mosque located on William Street has been under contention since 2005 when the Supreme Council sub-leased it to businessman Hassan Basajjabala, who sold it to city businessman Drake Lubega.
In recent months, there have been fights amongst the Muslim faithful over who should manage the mosque and other properties on the same plot.
In November, four Muslim leaders running the mosque and property were fired by their leader Sheikh Yunus Kamoga, raising fresh feuds over its management.
The four and their loyalist retaliated by announcing at a press conference that Kamoga was no longer the head of the Mosque, naming Bahiga as their leader.
Speaking at the prayers, Prince Kassim Nakibinge, referred to as “the grandfather of Islam” in Uganda, faulted police for failure to investigate and arrest the people gunning down Muslim leaders.
People who are unknown are shooting Sheikhs and we are always promised that something will be done to bring the culprits to justice. Yesterday, I met with the IGP and I told him that Muslims are calm but it is not a sign of weakness. Time will come and we shall fail to control them.}
Sheikh Bahiga is the second leader of Shia Muslims to be murdered in a period of four days.
Sheikh Bahiga was a retired police officer who has been teaching Madrasa for 15 years. He lives behind three wives and 13 children.
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