State witnesses in the High court murder trial of Muslim clerics have got extra security after they cited death threats.
Police spokesman Andrew Felix Kaweesi said many of the witnesses who will pin the Muslim clerics, accused of killing Muslim leaders over the years, fear for their lives if they testify in an open court.
The decision to beef up the witnesses’ security came barely a week after the International Crimes division (ICD) of the High court in Kampala, barred members of the public and the media from attending the trial of the 14 persons accused of masterminding the murders of clerics.
Ezekiel Muhanguzi, the lead judge in the trial, granted the request by prosecution to allow four of its witnesses testify behind closed doors.
The decision followed reports that some witnesses had declined to appear before court due to threats associated with the case. Without divulging details, Kaweesi told journalists in Kampala that although police has been protecting the witnesses, it will step up its vigilance to avert any possible attacks.
The suspects are accused of masterminding the murders of Sheikh Mustafa Bahiga, the former Kampala amir, top Shia cleric Dr Abdul Kadir Muwaya and Sheikh Hassan Kirya, the former spokesperson of Kibuli-based Muslim faction.
The three were killed in Wakiso, Kampala and Mayuge from 2013 to date. The suspects also face a case of attempted murder of Sheikh Haruna Jemba, the head of a rival Tabliq faction.