KAMPALA – Police have arrested eight people in connection with the murder of Sheikh Mutumba Masudi, 60, the imam of Iwemba Masjid Noor, Iwemba Sub County in Bugiri district.
The suspects include a boda boda rider who allegedly transported the killers to and from the murder scene.
Police preliminary investigations indicate that the killing stemmed from an ongoing land wrangle with Koita Suleiman, also of Busimba village.
Police spokesman Fred Enanga told journalists on Monday, February 17, 2020, that the deceased won a Civil suit in Bugiri High Court, which was appealed in Jinja High Court and judgement was due to be read on the 20/02/2020.
“The perpetrators held a meeting in their home and planned the murder, well in advance. They hired a boda boda rider who transported the gunman and another assailant. The lone gunman made his way to Sheikh Mutumba’s home, called him out, and shot him once to the head killing him instantly. He ran and joined his two colleagues on the boda boda and they escaped from the scene,” Mr Enanga said.
He also police have directed all available resources to the investigation and the task force comprising of selected detectives from Homicide, Flying Squad and Busoga East Territorial Police, are working diligently, and chasing down every lead.
“The 8 suspects form part of the team that plotted the murder. Further efforts are in place to apprehend the prime suspect who pulled the trigger. We have his identity and also working towards the recovery of the murder weapon,” Mr Enanga said.
“We would like to reassure the public that murder has no connection to his faith or to the killing of the Muslim clerics in 2016. They should also know that anyone found facilitating the prime suspect, by either sending him money or accommodation, shall be arrested and charged with being an accessory after the fact of murder,” he added.
