In a shocking turn of events, businessman John Bosco Muwonge has overseen the demolition of Masjid Dar-Imaani, a mosque located on Mwanga II Road in Kisenyi, Kampala. The incident, which has not been widely covered by the media, unfolded on December 12, 2024, when the mosque was razed to the ground despite a directive from the Resident City Commissioner (RCC) Jane Asiimwe Muhindo to prevent any such action.
The demolition attempts began 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 mosque’s occupants that they had been sent by Muwonge to forcibly evict the Muslims and demolish the mosque. However, the attackers could not produce any court order for eviction or demolition, prompting the mosque’s occupants to resist successfully.
The following day, the RCC issued an order to the DPC of Old Kampala, Francis Liiga, instructing him to halt any eviction or demolition attempts and to ensure the mosque and its premises were protected from damage. However, despite this directive, the Imam reports that around midnight on December 12, 2024, the Kifeesi gang returned with an excavator and bulldozer, and began demolishing the mosque. They destroyed the building completely and looted property, including speakers, prayer mats, money, and other valuables, all while police officers deployed for protection stood by without intervening.
The Imam narrowly escaped injury during the violent confrontation. When he tried to report the incident at Old Kampala Police Station, officers informed him that DPC Liiga had instructed them not to register any complaints against Muwonge or his agents.
The Imam has since sought the intervention of the Director of Crime Intelligence, requesting an investigation into DPC Liiga’s involvement in the demolition and his alleged collusion with the Kifeesi gang. He emphasized that the DPC violated the guidelines set by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), which require demolitions to occur during daylight hours with the presence of all relevant parties.
In addition, a letter from the IGP had previously informed the Commander of Kampala Metropolitan Police about the ongoing land disputes regarding the property, located on KIBUGA PLOT 12, including PLOTS 665, 658, and 659 in Mengo. Despite these instructions, DPC Liiga ignored the guidelines and allowed the mosque’s destruction to proceed at midnight without the involvement of the concerned parties.
The mosque, which had served as a community center for over 20 years, along with its offices, toilets, and the Imam’s house, was completely demolished in the incident.
Efforts to reach Businessman John Bosco Muwonge and DPC Francis Liiga were futile by press time as calls to their known numbers went unanswered.
