By Acen Tracy Oiko and Mmeeme Leticia Luwenze, KAMPALA;
The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) has pointed an accusing finger to president Museveni and his security against several attacks against the islamic faith in Uganda referring to them as criminals.
Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda, the FDC spokesperson says some muslim groups are living in a state of fear after security agencies and the commander-in-chief have made it a habit of criminalizing and profiling suspects of capital offences as muslims.
“The muslim community especially the Tabliqs are in great fear because of this targeted killings and profiling,” he said.
Ssemujju who accuses the president of turning himself into an interpreter of the Islamic faith further warned him to be extra careful while profiling suspects.
This follows three bomb attacks including the November 16 Kampala twin bombs where the suicide bombers have been identified as muslims working with heartless terror group of the Allied Democratic Forces.
Over five suspects have been killed and about 21 convicted, the most recent is Sheikh Abbas Kirevu alias Muhammed Kirevu who security personnel allegedly shot dead at his home in Nsangi last week on allegations of aiding in recruiting and training of ADF rebels. He was laid to rest on yesterday November 21.
With the continued direct profiling of suspects muslims, FDC is suspicious that security agencies may start invading mosques during prayers.
“Mosques are being declared radicalization centres by Museveni and security, we fear they may begin invading mosques while moslems are in prayers,” FDC said.
Citing out the June 11, 2010 twin bombings in Kababalaga and Lugogo by pass where Somali nationals faced intensive discriminations, arbitrary arrests and an incident where an Egyptian exhibitor who had visited Uganda at annual Uganda Manufacturers Association (UMA) show was flogged in mistaken identity, raids on mosques and arrest of people attending madrasa and profiling of Tabliqs as suspects, FDC says security agencies should be cautious while dealing with terror suspects not to practice discrimination; pointing at Muslims.
They warned that government should not look at muslims as rebellious because some of their officials including the incumbent president used Islamic names to access funding during the war that brought them to power.
“And these are not the first criminals to use Islamic names. You remember late Brig. Chefe Ali, late Col. Shaban Bantariza and Gen. Salim Saleh. All these have while engaged in rebellion used Islamic names. Museveni and Amama Mbabazi were using the name Kassim to access money to fund the Luweero war.”
They demanded for the compensation of all victims of recent bombings like families who lost their dear ones and those whose property was destroyed by the explosions as well as prosecution of officers doing their jobs in a laissez faire manner.
In related news, the FDC has condemned the killing of terror suspects by security personnel stressing that it is unconstitutional.
Article 28 of the Ugandan Constitution presumes every suspect innocent until proved guilty or the person pleads guilty.
FDC condemns all acts of torture, and murder melted on criminal and terror suspects and calls for thorough investigation and presentation of suspected with evidences then courts can give final judgements.
“Nobody is condemning police for arresting anyone, killing suspects creates suspicion as to whether they were guilty in the first place. This is unacceptable and it must stop.”
