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More Muslim Sheikhs Arrested over ADF Links; ‘Radicalized’ Children Rescued

Police spokesperson Fred Enanga. Courtesy Photo
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Ugandan security agencies have arrested more Muslim Sheikhs as efforts to apprehend suspected terrorists and collaborators continue.

Those said to have been arrested include: Sheikh Swaibu Segujja, the assistant secretary for Zakat in Luwero, who doubles as the Imam of Butanza Mosque in Katikamu Sub-county; as wekk as Sheikh Muhammed Ssemwanga, the Imam of Lusenke Mosque in Wobulenzi Town Council, also a teacher at Lugo Orphanage at Lukomera in Katikamu sub-county and Rashid Ibn Warid Islamic primary school in Wobulenzi.

Sheikh Muhammed Ssemwanga

According to police spokesperson Fred Enanga, security operatives are investigating reports of indoctrination and radicalization of children in places of worship.

“In further efforts to deter and disrupt terrorism, we are actively monitoring all spaces in homes, places of worship, which are acting as domains for recruitment and as collection centres, for children who are introduced to ideological messages and beliefs. Our intelligence teams have gathered materials and accounts from children rescued or recovered,” said Enanga on November 22.

“They have indicated how some of their friends are taken away to an unknown destination.”

Enanga says security officers are “actively searching for” a one Sheikh Rwangabo, “who is on the run after we raided a suspected recruitment and radicalization centre” in Kasengejje Village, Kasengjje Parish, Wakiso Town Council, in Wakiso District. 

He also confirmed the arrest of two suspected coordinators identified as Ismael Kaija and Muhammad Ssewakiryanga.

“We are further interrogating them, on the whereabouts of all the children, who went through their hands, since October 2021 to date,” added Enanga.

He further revealed that 22 children had been rescued, adding that these had been recruited from Wakiso, Nansana, Ntinda, Kagoma, Kawempe and Bugerere in Kayunga. 

“They are currently in a shelter home, as arrangements to reintegrate and reunite them, with their parents, guardians and relatives, are taking place.”

Security officers also rescued three children from Bunia, seven from Kasese, six from Karugutu and 50 from Bombo.

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