Sheikh Murtadha Bukenya, a member of the Saraf Muslim sect, who has been in self-imposed exile in Nairobi, Dar-es-salaam, Zanzibar and South Africa, has returned to Uganda under the Amnesty Act.
Bukenya, who addressed a press conference at Uganda Television library, yesterday, said he returned Wednesday, after receiving assurance from the government that his life was not under threat.
Before leaving for exile, Bukenya was one of the 63 tabliqs arrested and detained at Central Police Station, Nov 2 1996, after a bloody wrangle broke out between his Saraf group (Market street mosque) and another sect headed by Emir Suleiman Kakeeto (Nakasero mosque). They were taken to Luzira prison for two weeks.
While others were released on bond, Bukenya and one, Hassan Nsereko were again imprisoned in Luzira prison for 13 months.
He said he had to flee for exile, Oct. 98, because even after his release, government security personnel were following him and he feared for his life.
He said Chief of Military Intelligence, Col. Noble Mayombo later released, in the press, a list of 64 ADF rebels and Bukenya's name was second on the list. Sheikhs, Kiggundu, Sekimpi, Batte and Baliga flunked Bukenya.
Bukenya said there is a possibility that his name has again been handed over to the United States as a terrorist, but he is not afraid.