A 23-year-old man has revealed how security arrested him and forced him to reveal the whereabouts of his ‘Uncle” Sheikh Abu Ubaida Badir Diin Bukenya, the prime suspect in the attempted assassination of Works and Transport, Minister, Gen Katumba Wamala.
The young man, who only preferred to identify himself as Saddam, says that he was tracked and arrested by security agencies on allegations of knowing Sheikh Bukenya. Last month, joint security forces comprising operatives from the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence –CMI, Joint Anti-Terrorism Taskforce- JAT, and Crime Intelligence –CI raided Gangu B village in Makindye Ssabagabo Municipality, in Wakiso district where they arrested a woman suspected to be the wife of Sheikh Bukenya.
This came a day after security rounded up several people believed to be related to Sheikh Bukenya including Saddam. According to Saddam, while in the hands of CMI, JAT and CI, he was tasked to reveal the whereabouts of his uncle Sheikh Bukenya and his father, Saddam Hussein Yiga. Saddam says that the officers told him that his father, Yiga uses his mobile telephone.
According to Saddam, after receiving a few slaps and kicks, he succumbed and directed the armed men where his father was and he too was arrested. “I know my father [Yiga] often used my phone. But I have never seen my alleged uncle Sheikh Bukenya. I grew up in the village. We would have events including burials but he would never attend. I don’t know how he looks like and I was shocked when I was told to reveal where he was,” Saddam said.
Saddam regained his freedom when his father Yiga was arrested. He explains that he asked the security forces to release him because he knew nothing. The security was convinced by his explanation and released him on police bond. He is not sure whether his father was released or is still in the hands of security.
A number of residents of Gangu B, the LC I Chairperson Lawrence Magala and Defense Secretary Badru Kimbugwe told URN on Tuesday that they have never seen or heard about Sheikh Bukenya. They also said they were hearing the name of his alleged wife Mariam Naggayi for the first time following her arrest.
Yiga and his son are residents of Masajja village while Christine, one of those released after interrogations leaves a stone throw away from Naggayi’s home. Although some security operatives claim Sheikh Bukenya used to attend prayers at Nakasero Mosques, the leader says that they have neither heard of him nor even seen his face.
Siraj Kifampa, the Spokesperson of Nakasero Mosque, says that although mammoth crowds turn up for prayers at the mosque, none of the people there knows Sheikh Bukenya. He explains that all of them only saw his picture in the news.
Security has so far arrested 12 suspects in connection to the attack on Gen. Katumba, which claimed the lives of his daughter, Brenda Nantongo and driver Haruna Kayondo. Four of the suspects were shot dead under unclear circumstances.
Three of the dead suspects gunned down at Kanyogoga in Bukasa Parish, Makindye division have since been identified as Hussein Lubwama alias Master, Mustafa Kawawa alias Amin, Idris Sserwadda and Juma Saidi.
The Deputy Inspector General of Police, Maj Gen Paul Lokech, announced a cash bounty of Shillings 20 million for whoever provides information leading to Bukenya’s arrest.
-URN
