In a disturbing incident in Kisenyi, the Imam of the Kisenyi Community Mosque (Masjid Dar-Imaani) is recovering from injuries after a confrontation with a ‘Kifeesi’ gang that was allegedly working on the orders of businessman John Bosco Muwonge. The mosque demolition occurred amid ongoing land disputes in the area.
According to witnesses, John Bosco Muwonge – a renowned businessman in Kampala who claims ownership of the land where the mosque stands, paid a team of goons locally known as Kifeesi to forcibly demolish the building, resulting in the Imam being injured during the altercation. The mosque’s leadership and local residents have expressed outrage, accusing Muwonge of unlawfully evicting them from the land and assaulting them in the process.
Reports indicate that Francis Liiga, the DPC of Old Kampala, defied instructions from the Resident City Commissioner (RCC) Jane Asiimwe Muhindo and supervised the demolition on December 12, 2024. The mosque, situated on Mwanga II Road, had been the subject of a land dispute involving businessman John Bosco Muwonge and Hajji Lutwama Mousa Kizito.
The demolition attempts first occurred on the night of December 10, 2024, when a group of thugs, known as ‘Kifeesi’, stormed the mosque. They informed the Imam, Jaloud Abdulsalaam Miiro, and the occupants that they were acting on Muwonge’s orders to evict the Muslims and demolish the mosque. However, the group failed to provide any court orders authorizing eviction or demolition, prompting the mosque’s occupants to resist successfully. The following day, the RCC issued a directive to the DPC of Old Kampala, instructing him to refrain from carrying out any eviction or demolition orders and to protect the mosque from damage.
Despite these orders, the Imam claims that around midnight on December 12, 2024, the Kifeesi gang returned with construction machinery, including an excavator and bulldozer, and proceeded to demolish the mosque. They destroyed the structure completely, looted items such as speakers, prayer mats, and money, all while police officers stood by without intervening. The Imam narrowly escaped injury during the chaos. When he later attempted to report the incident at Old Kampala Police Station, officers informed him that DPC Liiga had instructed them not to record any reports regarding the incident or Muwonge’s agents.
The Imam has since sought intervention from the Office of the Director of Crime Intelligence, urging an investigation into the DPC’s role in the demolition and alleged collaboration with the Kifeesi gang to commit crimes including assault, attempted murder, robbery, and illegal demolition. He also highlighted that DPC Liiga had disregarded guidelines set by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), which stipulated that such demolitions should occur only during daylight hours and with the presence of all involved parties.
A letter from the IGP’s office had already alerted the Commander of Kampala Metropolitan Police about ongoing land disputes concerning KIBUGA PLOT 12, which includes PLOTS 665, 658, and 659 at Mengo. Despite these warnings, DPC Liiga oversaw the demolition at midnight without involving the relevant parties. The mosque, which had been a community center for over 20 years, along with its offices, toilets, and the Imam’s house, were completely destroyed.
Efforts to reach Businessman John Bosco Muwonge and DPC Francis Liiga were futile by press time as calls to their known numbers went unanswered.
