Nakibinge appeals for unity among Muslims

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Prince Kassim Nakibinge Kakungulu, the titular head of the Muslim community in the country has implored Muslims to stop bickering.

The Muslim community in Uganda has been involved in bickering since the arrival of Islam in the country around 1844 over divergence in opinion and leadership.

Nakibinge argues that bickering adds no value to their faith but only affords a chance to the opportunists to achieve their agenda.

Speaking during the celebration to mark 129 years since the return of his grandfather Prince Nuhu Mbogo from exile at Kibuli Mosque on June 30, 2024, Nakibinge said they decided to establish the Kibuli-based parallel Muslim leadership breaking away from Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) because they were tired of bickering.

“When Prince Mbogo returned from exile, he found Emin Pasha’s men ready to fight. They asked him to join them but he declined. He told them that he was tired of fighting and his focus was on the propagation of Islam because they risked being killed. Pasha’s men went ahead to fight and they were all killed. So, we have emulated Mbogo and we are no longer interested in fighting,” Nakibinge said.

Mbogo was the leader of Muslims at the time British imperialists imposed colonial rule over Uganda in the 1880s.

Given his growing influence, the British imperialists led by Capt. Fredrick Lugard exiled him to Zanzibar in 1893 as they sought to stump Islam out of Buganda.

Two years later, the imperialists allowed him back and he assumed his role as the leader of Muslims.

Nakibinge thanked hundreds of Muslims who graced the function for honouring the contribution of his grandfather towards the propagation of Islam in the country.

He explained that the major reason they celebrate his return from exile is based on his enormous contribution that laid a strong foundation for the propagation of Islam in the country.

He appealed to the Muslims to respect each other and embrace unity in diversity for development.

“If you don’t know something, don’t abuse those who know it. Whatever you don’t understand, leave it to those who know it,” Nakibinge said.

Taking advantage of the presence of Members of Parliament led by Asuman Basalirwa of Bugiri Municipality, the Supreme Mufti Sheikh Muhammad Shaban Galabuzi said the government should gazette the day on which Mbogo returned from exile as a public holiday to honour his contribution to the growth of Islam and the country at large.

“We are glad that we have MPs at this function. You should take this issue to Parliament just like we commemorate Archbishop Janan Luwum Day, Prince Mbogo’s contribution also needs to be recognised,” Galabuzi said.

Sheikh Muhammad Yusuf Balinda, the Lango supreme kadhi said those critical of the celebration should not forget that some of the rights they are enjoying as Muslims in the country such as slaughtering the meat among others are because of the sacrifices of Mbogo and his colleagues.

“There are many lessons we draw from Mbogo’s return from exile. These include patience in whatever we do, avoiding arrogance, not using Islam to achieve our selfish interests and standing in defence of our religion regardless of the consequences,” Balinda said.

Balinda hailed Mbogo for choosing Islam instead of becoming the king of Buganda.

“Let us emulate Prince Mbogo because of the great contribution he made for Islam in the country. We must fight ego and love Allah unconditionally for us to move in Mbogo’s shadow,” Balinda said.

Balinda requested the next celebrations to be held in the Northern region for the Muslims from the region to draw lessons from him.

“We don’t regret joining Kibuli because we wouldn’t have known this. There are those that claim that this function is against the Islamic teaching but they forget that we are celebrating a man who struggled for our faith,” Balinda said.

Basalirwa, also the chairperson of the Muslim parliamentary caucus hailed Nakibinge for furthering the legacy of his grandfather, Prince Mbogo.

“I am a beneficiary of Prince Mbogo’s magnanimity. When I finished my law degree at Makerere University, I had no resources to take me to the Law Development Centre (LDC) for a diploma in legal practice. When I walked into Prince Nakibinge’s office at Bank of Uganda, he didn’t know me but accepted to meet all the costs for my studies at LDC,” Basalirwa said.

“You did that out of your love for Islam and Muslims. That’s why I get offended when I hear anyone trading accusations of tribalism against you because when you chose to pay for my studies at LDC, I was not a Muganda but a Musoga from a non-prominent family,” he added.

The main preacher at the event, Sheikh Hamid Tamusuza asked Muslims to always believe in God’s decrees.