Mufti row: Kayongo’s election a double crime
Mar 02, 2009
The recent unjustifiable election of Sheikh Zubairu Kayongo as a rebel ‘Mufti’ by the Kibuli faction was uncalled for.
By Nsereko Mutumba
The recent unjustifiable election of Sheikh Zubairu Kayongo as a rebel ‘Mufti’ by the Kibuli faction was uncalled for.
Kayongo is opposed to Mufti Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje and this has created a misreading in the country.
Many wonder if it was right for a section of Muslims who feel ‘aggrieved’ to supposedly “break away†from Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC). After losing a case against Mufti Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje in court the aggrieved decided to take the law in their hands. Such acts are criminal, unconstitutional and uncalled for.
The election of Sheikh Mubaje to the office of Mufti was based on the manifesto of unity and development of the Muslims of Uganda. His election was one of the most democratic that the Muslims have ever witnessed in this country. Mubaje’s election created hope of Muslim unity but unfortunately, there were those, who by their nature did not wish such good things to happen to the Muslims of Uganda.
We also know that, the current squabbles that have led to the illegal election of Sheikh Kayongo were and continue to be orchestrated by the same forcers that divided Ugandan Muslims in the past. They have contravened the constitution of the UMSC which is an organ of right thinking Muslims.
However, that does not derail the UMSC from carrying out its programmes aimed at unifying and developing Muslims and Islam in this country. What Muslims and Ugandans need to know is that, UMSC was established on the foundation of the Holy Koran and Hadith (teachings of the Prophet Muhammad — pbuh).
This therefore, means that every Muslim must pay allegiance to the UMSC. The council is mandated with several objectives under which it was founded.
The main objective of the council is: to promote Islam, the spiritual, moral and material welfare of Ugandan Muslims. The creation of UMSC was not merely by the Muslims of Uganda.
According to the UMSC’s articles of association, the Government was very fundamental in the institution of a body that would unite Muslims of Uganda after realising the impacts of Muslim disunity.
The act states in part thus: “Whereas it has been found that there is disunity among Muslims in Uganda based on factions. And whereas the disunity has not been in the interest of Muslims and the country, the Government of Uganda considers that the said disunity is a source of insecurity among citizens. And yet it is aware of its primary duty which is the protection of its citizens.â€
The UMSC was founded on 29th of April 1972 with the aim of bringing about the desired unity.
The Muslim representatives from throughout Uganda who gathered at the ‘Conference Centre’ thereby gave themselves a constitution that would be followed by every Muslim.
This is the constitution which UMSC follows in its day to day duties and which is being broken by a section of Muslims.
It is interesting to note that the Government supported the process of the formation of UMSC and its constitution and as seen from the above act, the formation of another Muslim faction or like we have seen those opposed Mufti Mubaje administration attempt to humiliate UMSC and Mufti of Uganda, is ultimately illegal. With the backing of the majority of Muslims of Uganda, the strong stand by the UMSC constitution and the support of the government of Uganda, the election of Sheikh Zubairu Kayongo as a supposed Mufti is simply criminal and will never be supported by Muslims in Uganda or by government of Uganda.
Article (1) subsection (1) clearly states that; there shall be one body in perpetuity unifying Muslims in Uganda to be known as the “Uganda Muslim Supreme Council hereinafter referred to as “The Councilâ€, with a supreme legislative body called the General Assembly, in which all powers of the Council preside. (2) All Muslims, men and women, shall be members of the Council.
In regard to the above articles, those accusing Mubaje cannot be of more knowledge of the UMSC constitution than the members of the General Assembly upon which the constitution rests all the powers of the council.
The constitution also provides for the ‘Joint Session’ constituted by the joint meeting of the executive committee and the Majlis–Al-Ulama (College of learned Sheikhs) which nominates the Mufti for approval by the General Assembly.
However, instead of having simply followed the simple provisions provided by the UMSC constitution, those Muslims opposed to Mubaje decided to take the law into their hands and think that they will win.
Indeed the supposed election of Sheikh Zubair Kayongo as an opposing Mufti is a crime committed twice; that is against the UMSC institution and against the Government of Uganda.
The Muslims of this country are law abiding citizens and are willing to follow order and not merely those who are driven by greed and tribalism.
Those behind such acts must understand that the UMSC constitution is intact and anyone who wishes to become a Mufti must respect the constitution and not divide Muslims.
They must also be reminded that such acts will lead to insecurity which is not in the interest of Muslims but the Government.
It is also important to note that the people, who denounced Sheikh Mubaje upon his election as Mufti in year 2000, are the very ones who opposed the construction of the now magnificent old Kampala Mosque.
The recent unjustifiable election of Sheikh Zubairu Kayongo as a rebel ‘Mufti’ by the Kibuli faction was uncalled for.
Kayongo is opposed to Mufti Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje and this has created a misreading in the country.
Many wonder if it was right for a section of Muslims who feel ‘aggrieved’ to supposedly “break away†from Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC). After losing a case against Mufti Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje in court the aggrieved decided to take the law in their hands. Such acts are criminal, unconstitutional and uncalled for.
The election of Sheikh Mubaje to the office of Mufti was based on the manifesto of unity and development of the Muslims of Uganda. His election was one of the most democratic that the Muslims have ever witnessed in this country. Mubaje’s election created hope of Muslim unity but unfortunately, there were those, who by their nature did not wish such good things to happen to the Muslims of Uganda.
We also know that, the current squabbles that have led to the illegal election of Sheikh Kayongo were and continue to be orchestrated by the same forcers that divided Ugandan Muslims in the past. They have contravened the constitution of the UMSC which is an organ of right thinking Muslims.
However, that does not derail the UMSC from carrying out its programmes aimed at unifying and developing Muslims and Islam in this country. What Muslims and Ugandans need to know is that, UMSC was established on the foundation of the Holy Koran and Hadith (teachings of the Prophet Muhammad — pbuh).
This therefore, means that every Muslim must pay allegiance to the UMSC. The council is mandated with several objectives under which it was founded.
The main objective of the council is: to promote Islam, the spiritual, moral and material welfare of Ugandan Muslims. The creation of UMSC was not merely by the Muslims of Uganda.
According to the UMSC’s articles of association, the Government was very fundamental in the institution of a body that would unite Muslims of Uganda after realising the impacts of Muslim disunity.
The act states in part thus: “Whereas it has been found that there is disunity among Muslims in Uganda based on factions. And whereas the disunity has not been in the interest of Muslims and the country, the Government of Uganda considers that the said disunity is a source of insecurity among citizens. And yet it is aware of its primary duty which is the protection of its citizens.â€
The UMSC was founded on 29th of April 1972 with the aim of bringing about the desired unity.
The Muslim representatives from throughout Uganda who gathered at the ‘Conference Centre’ thereby gave themselves a constitution that would be followed by every Muslim.
This is the constitution which UMSC follows in its day to day duties and which is being broken by a section of Muslims.
It is interesting to note that the Government supported the process of the formation of UMSC and its constitution and as seen from the above act, the formation of another Muslim faction or like we have seen those opposed Mufti Mubaje administration attempt to humiliate UMSC and Mufti of Uganda, is ultimately illegal. With the backing of the majority of Muslims of Uganda, the strong stand by the UMSC constitution and the support of the government of Uganda, the election of Sheikh Zubairu Kayongo as a supposed Mufti is simply criminal and will never be supported by Muslims in Uganda or by government of Uganda.
Article (1) subsection (1) clearly states that; there shall be one body in perpetuity unifying Muslims in Uganda to be known as the “Uganda Muslim Supreme Council hereinafter referred to as “The Councilâ€, with a supreme legislative body called the General Assembly, in which all powers of the Council preside. (2) All Muslims, men and women, shall be members of the Council.
In regard to the above articles, those accusing Mubaje cannot be of more knowledge of the UMSC constitution than the members of the General Assembly upon which the constitution rests all the powers of the council.
The constitution also provides for the ‘Joint Session’ constituted by the joint meeting of the executive committee and the Majlis–Al-Ulama (College of learned Sheikhs) which nominates the Mufti for approval by the General Assembly.
However, instead of having simply followed the simple provisions provided by the UMSC constitution, those Muslims opposed to Mubaje decided to take the law into their hands and think that they will win.
Indeed the supposed election of Sheikh Zubair Kayongo as an opposing Mufti is a crime committed twice; that is against the UMSC institution and against the Government of Uganda.
The Muslims of this country are law abiding citizens and are willing to follow order and not merely those who are driven by greed and tribalism.
Those behind such acts must understand that the UMSC constitution is intact and anyone who wishes to become a Mufti must respect the constitution and not divide Muslims.
They must also be reminded that such acts will lead to insecurity which is not in the interest of Muslims but the Government.
It is also important to note that the people, who denounced Sheikh Mubaje upon his election as Mufti in year 2000, are the very ones who opposed the construction of the now magnificent old Kampala Mosque.