Word reaching this publication intimates that the DPC of Old Kampala, a one Francis Liiga defied the orders of the Resident City Commissioner (RCC) Jane Asiimwe Muhindo and oversaw the demolition of Masjid Dar-Imaani that is located in Kisenyi, Mwanga II Road in Kampala.
The demolition attempts, that has not seen adequate media coverage for its magnitude, first occurred on the night of 10th December, 2024 when a group of goons popularly known as ‘Kifeesi’ stormed the mosque and informed the occupants including the Imam – Jaloud Abdulsalaam Miiro, that they had been sent by businessman John Bosco Muwonge to evict the Muslims and demolish the mosque.
According to the Imam, the group could not present a court eviction order or demolition order from the relevant authorities which prompted the Muslims to put up a successful resistance. The next day, the Muslims engaged the RCC of Kampala who issued an order to the DPC Old Kampala directing him to desist from implementing any eviction orders or vacant possession and to deploy and ensure that the Mosque and the premises at large are not damaged or destroyed by anyone.
In a letter addressed to the Director of Crime Intelligence, the Imam says that at around midnight on 12th December, 2024, the ‘Kifeesi’ gang returned to the premises with an excavator and a bulldozer and immediately started demolishing the mosque. They leveled it to the ground and looted property including speakers, praying mats, money and other properties all in the presence of Police Officers that had been deployed to protect them.
The Imam barely escaped with his life from the scuffle that ensued from the process and when he went to Old Kampala Police Station the next day to report the offenses, Police Officers informed him that their boss (DPC Francis Liiga) had directed them not to register any case reported against Businessman John Bosco Muwonge or his agents (the Kifeesi gang) in respect of the demolished mosque.
The frail Imam sought intervention of the Office of the Director Crime Intelligence to investigate the matter – especially the actions of the DPC for conniving with Kifeesi gangs to commit offences of assault, attempted murder, robbery and illegal demolition of a mosque.
“The DPC even breached guidelines set for him by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to ensure that if such an exercise were to happen, it is conducted during the day between 8am and 5pm on a weekday and not the weekend, night or public holidays. The IGP further guided that it happens in the presence of all parties and in liaison with area local authorities to help in identification of the property in issue.” The Imam told this publication.
There is indeed such a letter from Chepkurui Shunu Jimmy on behalf of the IGP alerting The Commander of Kampala Metropolitan Police, Central Police Station, about wrangles on the said land comprised in KIBUGA PLOT 12 PLOTS 665, 658, AND 659 AT MENGO.
“DPC Francis Liiga ignored all that and oversaw the demolition of the community mosque that has been in place for over 20 years at midnight and in the absence of parties concerned with the land.” Imam Jaloud Abdulsalaam Miiro told our reporter. The demolished property had a community mosque, offices, toilets and the Imam’s house.
Efforts to reach Businessman John Bosco Muwonge and DPC Francis Liiga were futile by press time as calls to their known numbers went unanswered.
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