Avoid political greed from Muslim unity drive

Apr 02, 2015

Uganda Muslim leaders are pushing for an overdue community unity. In principle all progressive political forces in the country, Jeema inclusive and the government, must support this process.

By Swaib K. Nsereko

Uganda Muslim leaders are pushing for an overdue community unity. In principle all progressive political forces in the country, Jeema inclusive and the government, must support this process.

According to Prof Abasi Kiyimba of Makerere university, historically, colonial authorities left behind three-problem (laden) communities—Women, Karimojong and Muslims.

Whereas the first two constraints have since been considerably addressed—thanks to deliberate government interventions, the Muslim challenge persists.

Century old disputes

Intra Muslim differences in Uganda are not of this 21st century; are of the 19th century. Back then, Muslim traders from East African coast successfully, through conviction, made Kabaka Mutesa I of Buganda accept and embrace Islam—and subsequently declare it a state religion in Buganda kingdom—with himself the supreme Muslim leader. 

But new Muslim arrivals from far afield in Sudan, settling in present day Bombo area, disputed authority of an uncircumcised Kabaka as a Muslim leader. (Culturally, the Kabaka would not shed blood in his kingdom.)

So disputes over the Kabaka’s leadership marked the beginning of Muslim disagreements that were inherited, exploited and left behind by colonialists. Problems of today are an accumulation of several others in between the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries.

 In the ‘70s, there was a lull of these constraints; thanks to government’s deliberate and sincere intervention—devoid of political manoeuverings.  But this was short lived—only for as long as Idi Amin was in power.

 In early 2000s, with Sheikh Mubaje ascending the top leadership, again thanks to government’s genuine support of that process, a semblance of unity returned. But it was soon election season in 2006 and the first allegations against Mufti Mubaje were political in nature—citing partisan conduct.

Hence to be addressed adequately, the Muslim question must be preceded by a genuine Muslim unity.

This time round, the unity drive is coming when a young generation of Muslims that is fairly educated, is fatigued with community conflicts.

They are ready to throw their weight behind this push. That is why the three Amiirs; Yahaya Mwanje of Jamuyyat Daawa Assalafiyya, Sulaiman Kakeeto of Tabligue Community and Mubarak Mugerwa of Spidiqa Foundation, hardly experience any hardship in convincing the youth to embrace this process.

Politics at pulpit

The key constraint to this process, however, is the timing—of heighted political interests ahead of 2016 polls. If the situation is not vigilantly handled by the Muslim leadership; as before, politics will certainly ruin this noble process.

Last Friday, Mufti Mubaje warmly received me at the Muslim headquarters as I visited to render our (Jeema) voice to the Muslim unity cause. UMSC spokesman Haji Nsereko Mutumba treated me as a VIP at the ‘unity Jumah’ at the former Muslim sports grounds near clock tower.

After Jumah prayers, speakers one after the other, laced up their messages with heavy political undertones. One local government leader even advised worshipers not to return to parliament Muslim MPs who are not embracing this cause. He ensured to campaign for politicians of his choice from presidential to local council levels.

Haji Mutumba mentioned my presence to the worshipers, but if I had opportunity to access the microphone, I was confident to out-compete the local government politician. Several other politicians too would line-up to speak after me.

The political pulse in the country today is such that politicians don’t speak to mammoth audiences for free. They cough money. By experience though, this money factor alone and how its social value is distributed is enough to tear apart the noble Muslim unity drive and render the entire process back to square one.

To the four Muslim leaders spearheading this effort, therefore, avoid politics. Avoid its agents. Avoid its sponsors.

Party spokesman, Jeema

 

          

        
 

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