Kibuli faction accepts Mubajje as new Mufti

By Vision Reporters and agencies THE Kibuli Muslim faction that on Monday denounced newly elected Mufti, Sheikh Shaban Mubajje, has now accepted to recognise him. Dr. Sheikh Muhammad Kisuule and Muhammad Kisambira told The New Vision yesterday that they had resolved the dispute after meeting the sheikhs who had rejected Mubajje's election. Kisuule said the authors of the rejection statement claimed they had issued it because their representatives to the general assembly had not told them what had transpired. Kisuule, Uganda's ambassador to Saudi Arabia, and Kisambira, represented the Kibuli group in the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) general assembly that elected Mubajje. "But yesterday (Tuesday) after we met and explained to them what had exactly happened during the elections, they were satisfied and agreed to support and work with Mubajje," Kisuule said. Reports said the main complainants were Sheikh Zubair Kayongo and Sheikh Obeid Kamulegeya. Ten sheikhs, including Rajab Kakooza, had signed the purported statement. But they have now reportedly backed down and pledged their allegiance to the new Mufti. They could not be reached for comment yesterday. "As their representatives in the UMSC general assembly, we informed them that Mubajje's election was by consensus which should be accepted and recognised," Kisuule said. "Since Sheikh Kakooza declined to contest for the Muftiship, both Kibuli and Old Kampala fielded Sheikh Twaib Mukuye as our candidate. But Mubajje had better qualifications than Mukuye and he won unanimously, he said. "As a gesture of Muslim unity and reconciliation, the assembly then offered Mukuye the post of deputy Mufti. So Kibuli did not get a raw deal as some people had alleged. "There are even some vacant posts which are yet to be filled in the new UMSC administration. Since Mubajje wants to unite Muslims, we are optimistic some of those posts will be offered to the Kibuli group," he added. The vacant posts include that of director for Sharia and secretaries for religious affairs, administration, finance and education. Ends.