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.

rosecution seeks life behind bars for Rwandan musician
Publish Date: Dec 30, 2014

Kizito Mihigo talks to the press in April. AFP Photo

A popular Rwandan musician who has pleaded guilty to plotting attacks against the East African nation's leaders should face life behind bars, a state prosecutor argued Monday.

Kizito Mihigo has been on trial along with three co-accused on charges including conspiracy to murder, complicity in a terrorist act and conspiring against the government of Rwandan President Paul Kagame.

In November he dismissed his defence lawyers, pleaded guilty and appealed for leniency -- although the trial had been hit by controversy with one of his co-accused alleging to have been the victim of torture.

His co-accused, demobilised soldier Jean Paul Dukuzumuremyi and Cassien Ntamuhanga, a journalist, as well as Agnes Niyibizi, all denied the charges.

"All the suspects committed the crimes of forming a criminal gang, conspiring against the established government of the president and complicity in a terrorist act," prosecutor Boniface Budengeri told a court hearing.

"Mihigo and Ntamuhanga particularly committed the crime of conspiracy to murder. Given that Mihigo and Ntamuhanga are accused of murder, a crime whose sentence amounts to a life, we therefore seek a life sentence for each of them," he added.

He also said Dukuzumuremyi should serve 50 years and Niyibizi 25 years in prison.

The court is due to deliver its verdict on February 27.

The arrest of the four, in April, came as Rwanda held commemorations to mark the 20th anniversary of the genocide, but also amid mounting criticism of the alleged suppression of political dissents by President Kagame.

Police said the four planned attacks in revenge for the assassination of a former spy chief and fierce critic of Kagame, Patrick Karegeya, who lived in exile in South Africa and who was found strangled to death in a Johannesburg luxury hotel on New Year's Day.

Mihigo was accused of being "in charge of mobilising the youth" for the Rwanda National Congress (RNC), an opposition party in exile, as well as the FDLR, Rwandan Hutu rebels who include the perpetrators of the 1994 genocide in their ranks and who are based in the forests of neighbouring DR Congo.

Madrasah Alnoor Barking

MADRASAH ALNOOR

 The madrasah started in April 2005. We have two madrasah for boys and girls.

1. The weekday madrasah i.e Mon to Thu and
2. The weekend madrasah i.e Sat and Sun

Contact: (T): 0208 5943100 or madrasah(at)alnoorcet.co.u

 Alnoor Cultural & Educational Trust (ALNOORCET is an active group of local Muslim in Barking and Dagenham determine to provide a suitable infrastructure for the local muslim community in order to improve the condition of humanity around them and in so doing, help themselves in the next life.

 Alnoor Cultural & Educational Trust (ALNOORCET) established on 19th December 2004.

ALNOORCET is a non profit making organisation with charitable status (Charity No: 1118963) aiming to provide the local Muslim community in Barking and Dagenham with an Islamic Centre for Religious Worship, Islamic Education and Community Activities.

OBJECTIVES

·         To Provide a local Islamic centre for Islamic Education, Religious Worship and place for    community activities.

·         To  Develop and provide Islamic educational services to local Muslim Community.

·          Educate both Muslims and Non-Muslims in the local community.

·         To Encourage positive interaction with local community at large.

·          Work for the development of the local Muslim community.

·          Promote greater understanding and awareness of Islam within the local community.

 At Alnoor madrasah, it is our objective to provide healthy and rewarding learning environment for Muslims students. The Madrasah is open  Mon to Thu which is known as weekday Madrasah, and Sat and Sun which is known as weekend Madrasah.

Muslim children growing in the UK are facing diverse challenges and conflicting pressures at Madrasahs and in friend circles. They are constantly influenced by mainstream youth culture.  It is difficult to isolate them from these influences and it is painful to let them sway into the mainstream.  Excessive consumerism, peer pressure, media culture, Internet, and technology confuses the youngsters’ mind about their ideal objective in life. We admit parents are the main source to instil moral and values in their children. However, parents can do only so much. We admit madaris have a responsibility to instil Islamic ideologies in the youths. Again, madaris can do only so much. It is tough job to help them balance their Islamic identity with their ‘British’ identity.  

 We do not want to stop trying. We hope madrasah Alnoor will be able to help Muslim students appreciate and understand Islam – its rich heritage, principles, values, teachings. We hope the Madrasah will be able to provide stepping stones for the youngsters so that they understand and accept Islam as the chosen ‘way’ of their lives. Our success will be measured years later if these youths grow up and say: thank you, you made a difference in my life!  

 We are working towards that day. This guide is designed to help parents, teachers, students what to expect from the Madrasah and what the Madrasah expects from them.   

Our request to the parents – please invest in your child. They are precious!

AU Commission Chief of Staff inspires Youth Volunteers, calls for an African revolution in mindset

Debreizeit, ETHIOPIA - 12 December 2014 - Chief of Staff to the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Jean-Baptiste NATAMA, made an impromptu visit to the Training of the fifth batch of African Union Youth Volunteers in Debreizeit, Ethiopia. Rounding up a two-week training at the Bonita Youth Development Training Center, the interaction with the new batch of young volunteers, left them highly motivated and inspired to go out and make a change, for the greater good of the continent.   

“As youth, you must move away from the conventional “truth”, dare tell our African story, and take responsibility for your destiny and that of the continent. Africa must dominate the world and become the next frontier. You must make it happen.” Ambassador Natama told the youth who spared no opportunity to ask the tough questions regarding the plight of the continent’s youth.

H.E Natama told the youth that investing in them is a top priority of the AU Commission, and its Agenda 2063, as envisioned by the Chairperson of the AU Commission. He reminded the youth of the very important values of Pan-Africanism, Ubuntu, hard work and humility, essential in the rediscovery of the African identity and development of the continent as a whole.

Toby FAYOYIN, one of the 50 youth volunteer from Nigeria said the interactive session took him to a totally new level, crowning two exciting weeks of interactive learning. “After spending these two weeks with friends from 28 countries, the meaning of African integration came to life. The conversations with the Chief of Staff glued everything I learned.” He shared his excitement.

“Amb. Natama has encouraged us to be leaders in our own communities. He has inspired me and others to reflect the Pan African vision by leading to a change of mindset to ensure we are all winners in the new Africa” Refka DAHMENI from Tunisia said.

The training of AU Youth Volunteers prepares them for a one year placement in various organizations across the continent contributing to the achievement of the African Union vision of an integrated, prosperous Africa that is governed by its own citizens.

Further information on: www.africa-youth.org  

Fastest-Growing Twitter Profiles in Tanzania. Cc @zittokabwe @jmkikwete@millardayo and @regmengipic.twitter.com/Urzr4hGQHh

Mr Mubenga’s widow Adrienne Makenda Kambana		‘I Can’t Breathe.’  ‘You Are Killing Me.’
		PROTEST THE RACIST NOT-GUILTY VERDICT FOR THE G4S GUARDS ON TRIAL FOR KILLING JIMMY MUBENGA Thursday, 18 December 6.30pmHome Office, Marsham St. SW1P 4DF On International Migrants Day join the Black Revs who have called this timely action in outrage at this gross injustice. The All African Women’s Group and Women of Colour in the Global Women’s Strike will be there. We attended the trial of the G4S guards all the way through. We wanted to support Jimmy Mubenga’s wife and his five children, and to let everyone know that this Black man's life mattered.Like in the US, we are protesting against being killed with impunity by police, privatised police forces and other agents of the state. Our thoughts are with his family who have had to re-live the horrors committed against him, only for the killers to walk free.
Protesting the verdict, Mr Mubenga’s wife Adrienne wore a T-shirt saying “I can’t breathe.” We were completely devastated that the G4S guards were found not guilty. But we weren't surprised. From watching the trial we already knew. The judge emphasised to the jury (10 white people, and two people of colour, none African or of African descent, unbelievable in multi-cultural London!), not that Jimmy Mubenga had said he couldn't breathe and that they were killing him, but that the guards were saying he was resisting. It stank of racism to us. From the beginning the intention was to protect G4S and to legalise any brutal, even lethal, treatment by those enforcing deportations – like the Nazis said at Nuremberg, they are “only doing their job”. The CPS initially refused to prosecute. It took four years of pressure by the family and their supporters, and a verdict of “unlawful killing” at the inquest into Mr Mubenga’s death (2013), to get a trial. The CPS reversed its decision in April 2014. We all expected they would sabotage the trial with a weak lack lustre prosecution. We called on people concerned with justice to be in the public gallery to support the family and show that Mr Mubenga’s life mattered. What we witnessed was a catalogue of bias and racism that has been played out in other cases of death by police/private security. The judge was openly biased, many in the public gallery commented on it. ·         The guards had shared racist texts, and the coroner’s report had highlighted serious concerns about “pervasive racism” among G4S guards involved in removals. But the jury was not allowed to know about the inquest, and the judge ruled the racist emails inadmissible as too “toxic” to the guards. If they had known a guilty verdict was more likely. ·         Over 20 witnesses said they heard Mr Mubenga saying “I can’t breathe” or “They are killing me.” The guards claimed they hadn’t heard it, and their defence said deportees “always say that kind of thing”. ·         Mr Mubenga head was repeatedly forced down to waist level, while he was hand-cuffed behind his back. He suffered double-fractured ribs, bruises, cuts – yet he, the victim, was blamed for resisting. He called out for help but didn’t get it. ·         The guards claimed they had acted in self-defence, were “only doing their job”, “performing a public service”, and “protecting not only themselves, but property, and the victim himself.” ·         The police helped G4S by delaying 24 hours before gathering witness statements from passengers, and took them down hastily as people re-boarded their flight the next day. So the statements were hurried, some witnesses said they didn’t have a translator to check what the police had written. Others said they’d been pressed by police to sign statements they didn’t agree with. Many gave longer statements later, only to have them rubbished in court by defence saying they had been influenced by news of Mr Mubenga’s death or their memory impaired by the passing of time. The judge echoed this by telling the jury not to let emotions get in the way. ·         Hughes, the guard central to the racist texting who continued posting racist material on facebook even after Mr Mubenga’s death, told passengers “this flight is going ahead whatever happens”. He was on a retainer of £1,200 a month, butTribelnig and Kaler were on £6 an hour and according to Hughes would have earned a couple hundred pounds bounty for successful deportation. Since the trip to Angola would have been 31 hours, Hughes would have earned £450. Hughes said he was not bothered about money, but concerned that his mates Tribelnig and Kaler got paid. The coroner's report from the Inquest said: "Having a financial interest in getting the job done does give rise to real concerns that inappropriate methods might be used” and “dangerous practices” developed . . . with the specific purpose of ensuring that disruption by a deportee prior to take off does not prevent removal.” These findings were withheld from the jury. ·         The set up in court reflected the power balance – three high-powered QCs (we understand paid for by G4S) each representing one of the guards, with junior barristers, against one prosecutor lacking in vigour or conviction. ·         One defence barrister had the nerve to bring in the police killing of Eric Garner in New York, saying that the protests there were not calling for “lynching or locking up of the police but for a trial. We have that in this case.” What he didn’t say was that the way this trial was conducted facilitated a not guilty outcome – just like the trial ofTrayvon Martin’s killer in the US. This barrister has a record for defending asylum seekers – sadly, he used it to lend credibility to the claim that deportees are likely to “cry wolf” to stop flights going ahead. Jimmy Mubenga had done nothing wrong. He was a father raising his family in London. He wanted to be here with his wife and children. He had a right to object to being deported. He had a right to resist being killed. He had a right to live. What happened to Mr Mubenga can happen to any of us, especially if we are immigrants, asylum seekers, of colour, detainees or labelled as “criminal”. It has been happening to many people, women and men – during arrest, in custody, or even while on the tube as with Jean Charles de Menezes. The first person we know of to be killed during an attempted deportation was a woman, Joy Gardner, in 1993. Every time those responsible got away with it, whether there was a trial or not. This verdict gives another green light to killing by the state, and to violence of all kinds. G4S has been awarded a contract to run healthcare in Yarl’s Wood Immigration and Removal Centre and SERCO’s contract to run Yarl’s Wood has just been renewed. This is despite reports of racism, rape and sexual assault by the guards and a medical nurse, and protests by women detainees, including hunger strikes. There was also a protest at the Home Affairs Select Committee which investigated the claims without hearing evidence from women in detention.

Speaker Zziwa impeached

The Speaker of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) Margaret Nantongo Zziwa has been

EALA Speaker, Margaret Nantongo Zziwa addressing journalists in Kampala recently. Photo by Abubaker Lubowa

The Speaker of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) Margaret Nantongo Zziwa has been impeached.
Ms Zziwa was on Wednesday impeached in a majority vote of 36 members who voted in favour of the motion, two opposed while one abstained from the vote.
Zziwa was absent at the time of her impeachment.
Her nemesis Dorah Byamukama was the first to cast the impeachment vote followed by Fred Mukasa Mbidde, the man who has consistently defended her.
The EALA session that impeached her was chaired by interim Speaker, Mr Chris Opoka-Okumu.
The development comes just a day after East African Court of Justice (EACJ) on Tuesday quashed Ms Zziwa’s application in which she had sought to block today’s proceedings.
Ms Zziwa through her lawyers, had among other things sought an order prohibiting and restraining EALA from convening today for purposes of considering Legal, Rules and Privileges committee, pending the hearing and determination of the main case she filed in the regional Court.
The Court found that Ms Zziwa had failed to prove the irreparable injustice today’s sitting may occasion to her, as had been claimed in her application.

“The Court declared it was unable to accept the Applicant’s case that she is entitled to any ex-parte orders. The Court thus ordered the Application be fixed for hearing inter parte on 3rd February 2015. The Application was dismissed with no order as to cost,” read a statement by Ms. Geraldine Umugwaneza Deputy Registrar.
Ms Zziwa has been fighting to block the November 17 suspension by majority of the Assembly members over her alleged misconduct. She termed the suspension as illegal.

Uganda's General David Sejusa 'renounces violence'

There are no plans to arrest Mr Sejusa, the government says

Continue reading the main story

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A renegade Ugandan general who returned to Kampala from exile on Sunday has agreed to renounce violence and abide by the law, the government has said.

David Sejusa had been living in the UK since 2013 after claiming that President Yoweri Museveni was grooming his son to be Uganda's next leader.

Mr Sejusa also claimed that anyone opposed to Mr Museveni's succession plan risked being killed.

The Ugandan government has repeatedly denied the existence of any such plan.

"He [Mr Sejusa] negotiated his return. The government facilitated him with a ticket. For now we consider him a free man as his cases are being looked into," said government spokesman Ofwono Opondo.

Mounting criticism

The army has previously raised the prospect of prosecuting Mr Sejusa for treason but Mr Opondo said there were no current plans for an arrest.

There has been no immediate comment by Mr Sejusa, who has gone to his country home in central Uganda.

His return from exile came a day before Uganda's ruling party holds a conference during which Mr Museveni, 70, is expected to be named as its presidential candidate for the election in 2016.

President Museveni denies planning to install his son as his successor

Mr Sejusa had been viewed as a close ally of Mr Museveni until he went into exile.

He fought in the guerrilla conflict that brought the president to power in 1986.

However, he subsequently became critical of the rapid promotion within the army of Mr Museveni's son, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who is now a brigadier-general in charge of special forces.

During his exile, Mr Sejusa spoke of Ugandans being "hostages" to a "family clique".

Unless there was significant change, "we shall have to force him [Mr Museveni] out", he told the BBC.

Analysts said the deal for Mr Sejusa's return may have been partly motivated by a wish on the part of the government to stop such a senior figure from joining the opposition.

Criticism of Mr Museveni's rule has mounted in recent years, with opponents accusing him of failing to curb corruption, suppressing dissent and monopolising power.

Church of England appoints female bishop

Reverend Libby Lane has been announced as the first female bishop for the Church of England, just

MrsLibby Lane has been the vicar at St Peter's Hale and St Elizabeth's Ashley, in the diocese of Chester, since 2007

Reverend Libby Lane has been announced as the first female bishop for the Church of England, just a month after a historic change to canon law.
She will become the new Bishop of Stockport, a post that has been vacant since May.
Mrs Lane has been the vicar at St Peter's Hale and St Elizabeth's Ashley, in the diocese of Chester, since 2007.
The general synod voted to back plans for female bishops in July and formally adopted legislation on 17 November.
The appointment will end centuries of male leadership of the Church and comes 20 years after women became priests.
Mrs Lane was ordained a deacon in 1993 and a priest in 1994, serving her curacy in Blackburn, Lancashire. Since 2010 she has also held the role of Dean of Women in Ministry for the diocese of Chester.
'Unexpected and exciting'

Speaking at Stockport town hall the new bishop, whose role was approved by the Queen, said it was a "remarkable day for me and an historic day for the Church".
"This is unexpected and very exciting," she said.
"I'm honoured and thankful to be called to serve as the next Bishop of Stockport and not a little daunted to be entrusted with such a ministry."
Prime Minister David Cameron congratulated Mrs Lane and said: "This is an historic appointment and an important step forward for the Church towards greater equality in its senior positions".
Mrs Lane will be consecrated as the eighth bishop of the town at a ceremony at York Minster on 26 January.
The first women priests were ordained in 1994, but to date women have not been able to take on the Church's most senior roles. 
Legislation to fast track women bishops into the House Of Lords will be introduced to Parliament on Thursday. 
But Mrs Lane will not be able to enter the House of Lords, as the post she is taking up is a junior or suffrage an appointment within the Diocese of Chester, the BBC's religious correspondent Caroline Wyatt said.
The first women bishop eligible to take up a seat in the Lords is expected to be announced in the new year.
Mrs Lane, who was schooled in Manchester and then the University at Oxford, before training for ministry at Cranmer Hall in Durham, dismissed suggestions her appointment was just a symbolic gesture by a Church still predominantly run by men.
The bishop and her husband, who is also a priest, were one of the first married couples in the Church of England to be ordained together.

Mrs Lane's interests include being a school governor, supporting Manchester United and learning to play the saxophone, according to her Church’s website.
The general synod, the Church's law-making body, gave the final seal of approval to the legislation on women bishops after it passed through Parliament in October.
After the change was approved, the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby said that the Church was entering into a "completely new phase of our existence".
But divisions still remain in the church between Anglicans who feel the change is consistent with their faith and traditionalists who disagree. 
One of the first crucial steps towards appointing female bishops came in 1975 when the general synod voted that there was "no fundamental objection" to the ordination of women to the priesthood, but it did not pass a second motion asking for the legal barriers to women's ordination to be removed.
In 1985, a vote allowed women to become deacons, and in 1992 women were officially permitted to be ordained in the priesthood, but the first women priests were not announced until two years later.
In November 2012, the vote to allow female bishops failed by six votes in the House of Laity. But in July 2013, it voted 152 in favour of the motion, with 45 against, and five abstentions. 
Gloucester, Oxford and Newcastle are also among the dioceses where new bishops will also soon be appointed, and interviews for the vacancy as bishop for the Southwell and Nottingham diocese took place at the start of December. 
Churches in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland already allow women as bishops, but haven't appointed one yet.