Uganda police has revealed that security has placed a reward of Shs20 million for any person with information regarding the whereabouts of Sheikh Abudin Hubaida Taheel Bukenya said to be the overall coordinator of the domestic terror cells in Uganda responsible for the recent high profile murders and assassination attempts in the country including one on the Works Minister, Katumba Wamala.
Gunmen riding on two motorcycles in June 1 opened fire at Gen Katumba Wamala’s UPDF Land cruiser along Kisota, Kulambiro Road, Nakawa Division in Kampala District instantly killing his daughter, Brenda Nantongo and driver, Haruna Kayondo, leaving the General with injuries.
Security has since arrested several key suspects including Muhammad Kagugube alias Bafumoya, Walusimbi Kamada alias Mudinka alias Ogema, Kisambira Siriman alias Mukwasi and Mustafa Kawawa Ramadan alias Amin alias Musa were arrested.
Another suspect Lubwama Hussein alias Kinene Christopher alias Master, who is said to have been one of the two shooters was shot dead during arrest after allegedly attempting to grab a gun from a security officer.
On Tuesday, Deputy Inspector General of Police (IGP), Maj Gen Paul Lokech, said the second shooter identified as Wampa Huzaifa alias Kanaabe, a 30-year-old was also arrested on Monday July 12 from Luweero district.
According to police, the suspects admitted to participating in a series of planned and highly sophisticated murders and aggravated robberies within the country, that led to the murders, the attempted murders and major aggravated robberies witnessed in the recent years including the Murder of Maj Muhammad Kiguundu, AIG Andrew Felix Kaweesi, Nansana Cheap Store robbery, Ntake Robbery and the murder and robbery on the Supermarket at Mpererwe.
The suspects, according to police, are part of the team that trained in the North Kivu Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) camp and had started reactivating the domestic terror cells in the country.
Police say these terror cells are facilitated by ADF, a rebel group originally based in western Uganda but now operating in the neighbouring DRC. It is considered a terrorist organisation by the Ugandan government. Its principal founder, Jamil Mukulu was arrested in Tanzania in 2015 and is currently undergoing trial in Uganda.
The activities are allegedly coordinated by Sheikh Abudin Hubaida now on the run, who is an ex-ADF combatant given Amnesty.
Maj Gen Lokech on Tuesday said security has put Shs5 million to any person with information that will lead to his arrest.
“Our focus now shifts to tracking down the overall coordinator of the domestic terror cells, a one Sheikh Abudin Hubaida Taheel Bukenya. He has been actively recruiting assailants and reactivating the terror cells,” Lokech said.
“We have widely shared his photos and put out a reward of Ugx 5m, for any one with credible information that can lead to his arrest,” he added.
A couple of hours later, the police in a statement said the value of the bounty had been revised and increased to Shs20 million.
“The Joint Security Agencies have raised the reward for any information leading to the arrest of its Most Wanted Person, a one Sheikh Abudin Hubaida Taheel Bukenya, the overall coordinator of domestic terror cells, in the country, from Ugx. 5m to Ugx. 20m,” Police says.
“We believe the reward will provide a significant incentive to anyone with credible information that will help lead to his arrest,” they say.
The Force has put 0716-160261, 0717-179622 and 0715- 411674 as Telephone contact numbers people with information regarding his whereabouts can reach security.
It should be recalled that during the arrest of Mustafa Kawawa Ramadhan alias Amin alias Musa last month from his home in Maganjo “B” LC1, Seruwumba Sub-zone, Maganjo Parish, Nabweru Division, several materials linked to terrorist groups were found.
The exhibits included materials used in making improvised explosive devices were recovered, as well as Al-Qaeda training manuals on how to make and detonate bombs, military materials, secret communication codes, and several Western Union transfer receipts from foreign services.