Slain muslim cleric lived in fear - colleague

Mourners carrying the body of the late Shiekh Mustapha Bahiga soon after prayers at Kibuli Mosque. Photo by Roderick Ahimbazwe

By Eddie Ssejjoba

SHEIKH Mustafa Bahiga had been living in fear for his life after fallout from the controversial William Street Mosque where a faction had appointed him the Kampala District Amir of the Jamiyati Dawa Asarafia, a Muslim Tabliq faction.

Bahiga was gunned down at about 8.00pm on Sunday while talking on phone in his car in front of Bwebajja Masjid Taqwa where he had gone for the evening Isha prayer.

Three of his sons, Fahima Bahiga (10), Abdul Rahuma Bahiga (12) and Mujahid Bahiga (14) who had travelled with him had only just exited the car to head to the mosque for prayers when the fatal shots were fired.

Sheikh Bahiga had been driving his car, a Toyota Noah, UAU 706U after attending Darasa (Muslim interactive classes) at Wandegeya Mosque.

Abdul Hamidu Mutebi, a colleague who is a member of the faction that supported Sheikh Bahiga said on several occasions the deceased had hinted that he feared for his life.

 

Mourners carrying the body of the late Shiekh Mustapha Bahiga, treasurer in the Supreme Mufti's office and Amir of Kampala, soon after prayers at Kibuli Mosque. Photo by Roderick Ahimbazwe

Inspector General of Police, Kale Kayihura and Shiek Obed Kamulegeya the prayers at Kibuli Mosque. Photo by Roderick Ahimbazwe

Prince Kassim Nakibinge breaks down after speaking during prayers for the late Sheikh Bahiga. Photo by Roderick Ahimbazwe

Mutebi attributed the killing on the current wrangling amongst leaders of the Tabliq sect where Bahiga had been elected as a leader.

Mutebi said those opposed to Bahiga's election hired mercenaries who took over the security of William Street Mosque, forcing him and several others to withdraw.

He said he was home near Bwebajja when he received a phone call that his colleague had been shot.

He said Sheikh Bahiga’s children informed their mother of the shooting and she rushed to Namulundu Medical Center where her husband, in critical condition, was receiving treatment for his injuries.

"We rushed him to Namulundu Medical Center but his condition worsened and they gave us an ambulance to rush him to Kibuli Hospital but he died at Namasuba”, he said.

 

Sheikh Zubair Kayongo flanked by Gen. Kale Kayihura, follows proceeding during the prayers at Kibuli Mosque. Photo by Eddie Ssejjoba

Mourners look on during prayers for Sheikh Bahiga at Kibuli Mosque. Photo by Eddie Ssejoba

Mourners were subjected to thorough checks before entering Kibuli Mosque for the prayers. Photo by Eddie Ssejjoba

Mutebi explained that at the medical centre, the deceased kept on muttering the name of one of the leaders he believed was behind his killing.

"He kept on repeating the name until he died," Mutebi who was following the ambulance in his car said.

One of Sheikh Bahiga's daughters, Hamida Akiiki said that her father had been complaining that he was being trailed for a while by unknown people and he believed it was related to his opposition to the sale of William Street Mosque.

She said the father had spent only two months in Bwebajja where he relocated after he was bought off by the management of Freedom City Shopping Mall along Entebbe Road.  

The Inspector General of Police, Gen. Kale Kayihura rushed to Kibuli Mosque where the body had been taken and was locked in talks with Sheikh Zubair Kayongo and other leaders.