The Uganda Muslim Supreme Council released a statement today on the death of Sheikh Hassan Kirya. Signed off by the Public Relations Officer, Haji Nsereko Mutumba, the statement read:
It is with deep sorrow that I share the sad news of the death of Sheikh Hassan Kirya who was murdered yesterday night near Kireka on Jinja Road.
Muslims in Uganda have lost a young and hardworking Sheikh who once served on the UMSC Executive committee.My prayers and condolences go to the members of his family in particular and the entire Ugandan Muslim fraternity.May Allah forgive him for his wrong deeds and reward him with paradise.Innaalillaahi Wainnaa Ilaihi Raajiuuna
According to eye witnesses reports, the Sheikh was gunned down on his way home at Bweyogerere in Kampala yesterday 30th June by two assailants on a bodaboda as he had stopped to buy groceries. At the time of his death Kirya was under close body protection by the VIP protection unit and had just dropped off his bodyguard in Kireka when the attack happened. It is believed that he was under surveillance.
Sheikh Hassan Kirya is the ninth muslim cleric killed in two years.