City mogul to revamp Nakasero Mosque

May 04, 2010

THE management of Nakasero Mosque has joined city businessman Hajji Hassan Mutasa Kafeero to re-develop the mosque.

By Madinah Tebajjukira

THE management of Nakasero Mosque has joined city businessman Hajji Hassan Mutasa Kafeero to re-develop the mosque.

The agreement was signed on April 8, between the Uganda Muslim Suuni Association, Uganda Muslim Tabliq Community as tenants and Mutasa as the re-developer. Both of the Muslim groups are headed by Sheik Suleiman Kakeeto.

They agreed that Mutasa would build a multi-storied commercial building on plot 4 Snay Bin Amen Street, and Plot 17A, 17B, 17C on Entebbe road, where the mosque is located.

“The mosque is old and not fit to be in the city. Kampala City Council is threatening to demolish it if no action is taken,” Kakeeto said.

The mosque was built in the early 1940s by the Indian Suunis. It was meant to accommodate 30 Muslims, until the Tabliqs forcefully took it over in the 1970s.

As the Muslim population grew, the Tabliqs built a temporary shelter.
In 2000, the Tabliqs became members of the Suuni Association after several threats of eviction. The mosque did not have a land title.

They, Suunis and Tabliqs, secured a land title late last year. Mutasa paid a premium of sh200,000.

Mutasa, yesterday said the building will have four floors, the top floor being the mosque, the third floor to act as offices for the mosque and lock-ups to provide income. He said the remaining two floors will be occupied by Mutasa to recover the money spent.

The project will cost about sh5b .
The agreement also provided that the Tabliq community takes 70% of the shares against the Suunis, who are the registered trustees of the land.

The shares, the agreement added, will be derived from one of the floors which will be allocated to the mosque management to raise funds to clear the bills.

According to the agreement, the premises will be restricted to activities that conform to the principles of Islam.

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