10 Kibuli Sheikhs denounce Mubajje

SHARP divisions have emerged among Kibuli Muslim faction members over their support to the newly-elected Mufti, Sheikh Shaban Mubajje, report Yunusu Abbey and Jude Etyang. On Monday, 10 Sheikhs issued a statement denouncing Mubajje's election. Sheikhs Rajab Kakooza, Obeid Kamulegeya, Zubair Kayongo, Sulaiman Kakeeto (the Tabliq head) and Muhammad Kyazze purportedly signed the statement. Others were Sheikhs Yahaya Kakungulu, Abdallah Ssemambo, Abdunoor Kakande, Mansoor Kasozi and Ali Kulumba. Since the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) inception in 1972, Mubajje is the first Sheikh outside Buganda to become a Mufti. President Yoweri Museveni yesterday congratulated Mubajje upon his election as Mufti. "President Museveni also congratulated the entire Muslim Community for getting together and, in a peaceful and orderly atmosphere, electing a new Mufti," said a State House statement. It said Museveni was optimistic Mubajje would advance unity and development among Muslims and all Ugandans. "He assured the new Mufti that the Government is looking forward to working with the new leadership at UMSC," said the statement signed by Museveni's press secretary, Hope Kivengere. Mubajje, a Saudi-trained Sheikh, is highly respected among young Muslims because of his intellectual capacity and secular education. The UMSC General Assembly which convened at Hotel Africana, Kampala, for three days, unanimously elected him Mufti Monday morning. But yesterday, Kakeeto, the Amir of the Tabliqs, disassociated himself from the statement. "The Amir of Uganda was not part of the meeting which designed and announced the said pronouncement on radio and other news media," said a statement, signed by Eng. Abbas Bangirana, secretary to the Nakasero Mosque executive. "The Amir of Uganda and the Tabliq Muslim community recognise the procedure of the elections and the results of the elections," it said. Dr. Sheikh Muhammad Kisuule, Uganda's ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Muhammad Kisambira and other members of the General Assembly among the Kibuli group, condemned those who issued the purported statement read on FM radio stations news bulletins on Monday night. Ends.