Ugandan Muslims “living in fear”


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Ever since the twin bomb blasts in Uganda’s capital Kampala that left at least 76 people dead some Muslims in the eastern African country have been living in fear.

They say that government security agencies has arrested Muslims from different parts of the country accusing them of being connected to al-Shabab, the extremist Somali group suspected to have planted the bombs.

Shiek Abdu Zakake, who heads a mosque in Uganda’s eastern district of
Mbale, 300 kms from Kampala they “live in fear after getting reports that several Muslims have been arrested. We fear that we may also be arrested yet we are innocent with no knowledge of al-Shabab.”

Such concerns from Muslim leaders have led to some members of
parliament putting the Ugandan government under the spotlight. They want an explanation into the arrest of Muslims around the country.

“I have reports from the public that some Muslims are being arrested and detained in different police stations in connection with the Sunday 11th July twin bomb blasts in Kampala. Such operations are a threat to the Muslim
community, as the public may perceive them to be behind the attacks,” MP for Makindye West, Hussein Kyanjo said.

However, state minister of Uganda for Internal Affairs, Matia Kasaija denied the allegations stating that “security agencies are only arresting individuals
suspected to be linked to the attacks. We can not arrest people simply
because they are Muslims”.

So far over 20 people including Eritrean, Somalis and Pakistanis, have been arrested in connection to the bomb attacks.

Suspected suicide bombers hit an Ethiopian restaurant and a rugby club in the capital Kampala, a little over a week ago, killing and injuring several football fans who had gathered to watch the World Cup final.

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