Six men, including the leader of a Muslim sect in Uganda, have been given sentences ranging from life imprisonment to 30 years in prison for committing acts of terrorism.

Tabliq sect leader Sheikh Yunus Kamoga and his followers were found guilty of threatening and inciting violence against other Muslim clerics, some of whom have been killed.

Three judges of Uganda’s High Court decided that their actions contributed to the murders of 13 Muslim leaders who have been killed in the country since 2012.

The actions cited include holding rallies, printing leaflets and uttering threats on loudspeakers against other clerics.

Most of the killings were carried out by gunmen riding on the back of motorbikes. The most recent attack happened last year when a cleric and his bodyguard were killed as their vehicle travelled on a motorway.

Authorities are now under pressure to find the real killers after Sheikh Kamoga and his followers were acquitted of the crimes.

Some of the Tabliq sect followers who had gathered outside the court criticised the sentences, saying they were orchestrated by the government and that they will be appealing to have them overturned.