Muslim leaders condemn Kampala riots
Sep 20, 2009
SEVERAL Muslim leaders who led the Eid prayers yesterday appealed to the Government and the Buganda kingdom leadership to use peaceful means to resolve their differences.
By Raymond Baguma
and Madinah Tebajjukira
SEVERAL Muslim leaders who led the Eid prayers yesterday appealed to the Government and the Buganda kingdom leadership to use peaceful means to resolve their differences.
They also condemned the violence that rocked Kampala and several parts of Buganda 10 days ago following the Government’s objection to the Kabaka’s visit to Kayunga citing security concerns.
“We should not get involved in acts of violence like what we saw, where a number of young Muslims participated in violence during the holy month of Ramadhan,†said the Mufti, Sheikh Shaban Mubajje, at Old Kampala Mosque yesterday.
“There could be differences. But we are all Africans. Let them solve the differences for the good of our nation.â€
He further told Muslim leaders to avoid engaging in public incitement, warning they could face disciplinary action.
“We shall not accept any sheikh to engage in incitement. We shall not accept and we shall deregister that sheikh. Kampala has been on tension but we thank Allah and the Government for restoring peace.â€
He reminded that Islam was a religion of peace and called upon all Muslims to uphold peace and not destabilise the country.
Addressing Muslims at his home in Kibuli after prayers at Kibuli Mosque, Prince Kassim Nakibinge denied claims that he led a delegation from Buganda to Libya to collect money to fight the Government.
He also warned that such “irresponsible reports†could destroy the relations between the Government and Mengo.
President Yoweri Museveni told MPs from Buganda on the night the riots broke out that he had intelligence reports indicating that the Buganda kingdom received funds from Libya to fight him.
Nakibinge, the chief executive officer of the Libyan-owned Tropical Bank and a cousin to the Kabaka, acknowledged that he had travelled many times to Libya.
“I have been to Libya so many times. I was recently there, like any other person, for the 40th anniversary of Col. Muammar Gadaffi, our brother. But I was not given any special message to bring back to Uganda,†he said yesterday.
He blamed the Ugandan intelligence agencies for failing to carry out thorough investigations into the matter.
“Their research is based on guess work and imagination. If that is not checked, it will cause so many problems in this country.â€
Nakibingi commended the Government for quelling the riots. He appealed to the two sides to initiate talks and avoid a repeat of the incidents. He also appealed to Muslims to be honest, transparent, loving and caring.
Sheikh Zubair Kayongo, who leads the ‘Kibuli faction’, also appealed to the Government and Mengo to use dialogue in order to iron out their difference.
“This country can only remain peaceful and develop if Baganda and the kingdom are in harmony. If people have divergent views, they should not be forced to do what they don’t want. They should negotiate to reach a compromise,†he said.
and Madinah Tebajjukira
SEVERAL Muslim leaders who led the Eid prayers yesterday appealed to the Government and the Buganda kingdom leadership to use peaceful means to resolve their differences.
They also condemned the violence that rocked Kampala and several parts of Buganda 10 days ago following the Government’s objection to the Kabaka’s visit to Kayunga citing security concerns.
“We should not get involved in acts of violence like what we saw, where a number of young Muslims participated in violence during the holy month of Ramadhan,†said the Mufti, Sheikh Shaban Mubajje, at Old Kampala Mosque yesterday.
“There could be differences. But we are all Africans. Let them solve the differences for the good of our nation.â€
He further told Muslim leaders to avoid engaging in public incitement, warning they could face disciplinary action.
“We shall not accept any sheikh to engage in incitement. We shall not accept and we shall deregister that sheikh. Kampala has been on tension but we thank Allah and the Government for restoring peace.â€
He reminded that Islam was a religion of peace and called upon all Muslims to uphold peace and not destabilise the country.
Addressing Muslims at his home in Kibuli after prayers at Kibuli Mosque, Prince Kassim Nakibinge denied claims that he led a delegation from Buganda to Libya to collect money to fight the Government.
He also warned that such “irresponsible reports†could destroy the relations between the Government and Mengo.
President Yoweri Museveni told MPs from Buganda on the night the riots broke out that he had intelligence reports indicating that the Buganda kingdom received funds from Libya to fight him.
Nakibinge, the chief executive officer of the Libyan-owned Tropical Bank and a cousin to the Kabaka, acknowledged that he had travelled many times to Libya.
“I have been to Libya so many times. I was recently there, like any other person, for the 40th anniversary of Col. Muammar Gadaffi, our brother. But I was not given any special message to bring back to Uganda,†he said yesterday.
He blamed the Ugandan intelligence agencies for failing to carry out thorough investigations into the matter.
“Their research is based on guess work and imagination. If that is not checked, it will cause so many problems in this country.â€
Nakibingi commended the Government for quelling the riots. He appealed to the two sides to initiate talks and avoid a repeat of the incidents. He also appealed to Muslims to be honest, transparent, loving and caring.
Sheikh Zubair Kayongo, who leads the ‘Kibuli faction’, also appealed to the Government and Mengo to use dialogue in order to iron out their difference.
“This country can only remain peaceful and develop if Baganda and the kingdom are in harmony. If people have divergent views, they should not be forced to do what they don’t want. They should negotiate to reach a compromise,†he said.