Ugandans turned out in tens of thousands in Mayuge district yesterday to bury Sheikh Abdul Qadir Muwaya (Daktoor) who was shot dead Thursday night.
The burial was attended by many government officials including the Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga, State minister for Foreign Affairs, Asuman Kiyingi and Inspector General of Police, Gen Kale Kayihura, among others.
“Our thoughts are with Haji Umar Bongo, Chairman LC V Mayuge, the family, the people of Mayuge and Busoga at large. To Allah we belong and to Him is our return,” Kiyingi had said in an earlier message.
In his eulogy, the Leader of Opposition in Parliament, Wafula Oguttu, wondered “why should someone kill such a God fearing, peaceful, highly respected and developmental man as Dactoor, almost the king of Mayuge?”.
“I first met him in 2005 when I visited him at his home for some advice. It’s a pity I could not bury him,” Oguttu regretted.
Sheik Dr. Muwaya Nkwanga Ali who is also the father to the chairman LC V Mayuge district Omar Bongo was last night gunned down at around 9.30pm local time (EAT), as soon as he reached his home at Buyemba village from prayers.
A very influential leader, Sheikh Muwaya has been the director of the Mayuge-based Ahlul Bait Islamic Foundation (ABIF), through which he constructed over 50 mosques across the country and sponsored education of needy children.
Through the foundation, he always offered animals to Muslims during Eid Adhuha celebrations. I first met the man, who the village folks fondly call Dakhtur in March 2013. He had no bodyguards and no muscle men around him and his attire of tunic and matching leather sandals was no close to that adorned by many religious clerics of today including sheiks, pastors and priests among others.
Two Years ago in a meeting with Iran's cultural attaché Sheikh Muwaya stated his eagerness to meet Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei, Supreme Leader of Iran. He also said he had deep gratitude towards Ayatollah Khomeini and had translated his books to Luganda for people.
Muwaya is remembered for promoting the Shai faith not only in Mayuge district but across the entire country.
Regional police commander of south Busoga, Moses Muluya said they had arrested four suspects believed to be key planners of the killing.
