Muslims petition House over Kadhi courts
Apr 19, 2011
A group of former Muslims have petitioned the Speaker of Parliament, Edward Kiwanuka Sekandi, demanding an amendment of the Uganda constitution to delete Kadhi.
By Henry Sekanjako
A group of former Muslims have petitioned the Speaker of Parliament, Edward Kiwanuka Sekandi, demanding an amendment of the Uganda constitution to delete Kadhi.
The Petitioners include bishop Umar Mulinde of Gospel life church international, bishop Zachariah Serwadda of Evangel church world Vision, Pastor Jamada Kikomeko of Victory Christian church Nateete, and Pastor Haruna Ntege of Gospel church international.
They said the Ugandan constitution should be amended by deleting article 129 (1) (d), to stop the threat of Islamic law being imposed on Ugandans as state law.
“Kadhi courts should operate privately among Muslims, who adhere to Islamic faith and accept its authority, but such courts should never have the judicial power of the state,†Mulinde said.
He added that parliament should also enact a law that brings into force Article 29 (1) (c) of the constitution in order to protect Ugandans suffering prosecution for exercising their rights to freedom of conscience and freedom of religion.
“No other religious faith, apart from Islam, has the privilege of enacting their religious laws in the Uganda constitution.
Article 129 (1) (d) of the constitution constitutes preferential treatment of Ugandan Muslims against people of other faiths,†Mulinde said.
They said if the Islamic sharia law is not elevated to judicial law of uganda , all fundamental human rights of not only former Muslims but of all other non–Muslims in uganda will be violated since Islamic laws considers non Muslims as infidels.
They added that Ugandan muslims who exercise their right to freedom of religion have converted to other faiths but have suffered prosecution. and many live under threat of death.
Meanwhile Sekandi asked believers to live in harmony .and respect each others religion noting that continued attacks among religions create violence.
“Am appealing to you to be tolerant, to each other and choose which religion to follow don’t talk ill about other people’ religions you may cause violence,†Sekandi said.
He, however, said that he would forward their petition to the relevant committee of parliament fo further scrutiny.
A group of former Muslims have petitioned the Speaker of Parliament, Edward Kiwanuka Sekandi, demanding an amendment of the Uganda constitution to delete Kadhi.
The Petitioners include bishop Umar Mulinde of Gospel life church international, bishop Zachariah Serwadda of Evangel church world Vision, Pastor Jamada Kikomeko of Victory Christian church Nateete, and Pastor Haruna Ntege of Gospel church international.
They said the Ugandan constitution should be amended by deleting article 129 (1) (d), to stop the threat of Islamic law being imposed on Ugandans as state law.
“Kadhi courts should operate privately among Muslims, who adhere to Islamic faith and accept its authority, but such courts should never have the judicial power of the state,†Mulinde said.
He added that parliament should also enact a law that brings into force Article 29 (1) (c) of the constitution in order to protect Ugandans suffering prosecution for exercising their rights to freedom of conscience and freedom of religion.
“No other religious faith, apart from Islam, has the privilege of enacting their religious laws in the Uganda constitution.
Article 129 (1) (d) of the constitution constitutes preferential treatment of Ugandan Muslims against people of other faiths,†Mulinde said.
They said if the Islamic sharia law is not elevated to judicial law of uganda , all fundamental human rights of not only former Muslims but of all other non–Muslims in uganda will be violated since Islamic laws considers non Muslims as infidels.
They added that Ugandan muslims who exercise their right to freedom of religion have converted to other faiths but have suffered prosecution. and many live under threat of death.
Meanwhile Sekandi asked believers to live in harmony .and respect each others religion noting that continued attacks among religions create violence.
“Am appealing to you to be tolerant, to each other and choose which religion to follow don’t talk ill about other people’ religions you may cause violence,†Sekandi said.
He, however, said that he would forward their petition to the relevant committee of parliament fo further scrutiny.