The deputy head of sect of Jamatil Salafiya Tabliq Muslim Community Sheikh Yahya Mwanje has been freed from the Chieftancy of Military Intelligence (CMI) cell.
His release comes after Muslim MPs on the Parliamentary Muslim Forum raised the matter on Monday. The MPs who were on Monday allowed to visit the Sheikh at CMI headquarters were concerned that he was being illegally detained and circumstances of his arrest unknown.
They threatened to incite members of the public to join them in protests to demand his unconditional release
Mwanje was released on bond and held a pres briefing shortly after, from where he stated that he was detained for days in a vest and only allowed to use one Kanzu.
He claims he was also denied access to lawyers and visitors for all the days he was in detention.
He was arrested on November 28, moments after holding a press briefing at Nakasero Mosque in Kampala. Armed men dressed in civilian attire dragged him into a Toyota Hiance Reg number UPM 187E at 9am.
Following his arrest, there was growing concern from his community over circumstances of his arrest, whereabouts and charges meted on him.
He noted that it’s not fair for the government to always raid Mosques and arrest Sheiks without following the proper lawful procedures, adding that even after arrests, they undergo long detentions without producing them in courts in the right period as stipulated in the constitution.
Prior to his arrest, another sheikh Abdul Wahab Buyondo was reportedly taken mid last week under unclear circumstances.
“Another brother of ours Abdul Wahab Buyondo was also arrested. We ask Allah to protect those brothers of ours especially during this tough time. We shall keep you up to date but at the moment we don’t know anything,” Shk. Yunus Kamoga the head of the Tabligue muslim sect said last week
The Muslim MPs are now demanding that all other Muslims detained in prisons be produced in the courts of law.
