Muslim leaders seek Kadaga’s intervention on re-arrest of bailed suspects

Muslim leaders under the Kampala District Council of Imams have sought Speaker Rebecca Kadaga’s help in having an end to re-arrest of bailed Muslim suspects.

The leaders, in a petition presented by their spokesman Mr Ali Kinobe, said Muslim suspects are highhandedly re-arrested even when they are granted bail by court.

“The Imams of Kampala District are concerned that whenever Muslim suspects ask for bail, they are rarely granted bail and even when they are granted bail, most are violently rearrested soon thereafter,” said Kinobe.

The Muslim leaders presented their petition to Speaker Kadaga at Parliament on Wednesday 11 December 2019.

Kinobe also complained about the stalled operationalisation of the Qadhi courts, which are supposed to compliment the judicial system.

Another group, known as the Muslim Ambassadors of Uganda led by Mr Kassim Male, complained of alleged torture at the hands of intelligence agencies, singling out the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) and the Internal Security Organisation (ISO).

“We created this group to advocate for our rights, but security agencies have been branding us as terrorists; I was taken to ISO and CMI and was beaten to the extent of almost losing my life,” said Male.

Kadaga expressed concern over the allegations of mistreatment, promising to raise the issue with the relevant government agencies for action.

“Concerning the arrests, we are concerned and we shall take interest in what is happening,” said Kadaga.

On the Qadhi courts, the Speaker promised to engage the Attorney General on measures to expedite the courts’ commencement.

Qadhi courts form part of the structure of common law, which the Judicature Act and the Magistrates Courts Act recognize as a source of law.

Its jurisdiction, however, is limited and defined, and can apply on matters relating to marriage, like the Mohammedan Marriages Act.

Present were MPs Hood Katuramu (PWD Western) and Ismael Orot (Kanyum).