Museveni meets Muslims opposed to Mufti Mubajje
Dec 02, 2008
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni on Friday met the leaders of Muslims opposed to the Mufti, Sheik Shaban Mubajje. Museveni is opposed the election of a parallel Muslim leadership.
By Madinah Tebajjukira
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni on Friday met the leaders of Muslims opposed to the Mufti, Sheik Shaban Mubajje.
Museveni, sources said, opposed the election of a parallel Muslim leadership, which the faction wants to do. Instead, the source added, Museveni advised them to reconcile and emphasised that having two Muftis at the same time would throw the Muslim community back to the chaotic situation of the 1990s. “Avoid divisions in the Muslim community because they come along with many consequences,†he warned.
“I don’t want a situation where two rival Muftis fight over a microphone at a public function like in the past.â€
Between 1980 and 1986, the Muslim community was split into two factions led by sheiks Kassim Mulumba and Abdul Obedi Kamulegeya. Once the NRM took power in 1986, the rivals reconciled but the bitter rivalry resurfaced in 1987, which pitted Muftis Saad Ibrahim Luwemba against Hussein Rajab Kakooza.
During Uganda’s 31st independence anniversary celebrations at Kololo Airstrip, Luwemba and Sheik Ahmed Mukasa who had replaced Kakooza, struggled for a microphone to lead prayers.
The current wrangle was sparked off when the court acquitted Mubajje, council vice-chairman Hassan Basajjabalaba and former secretary general Edris Kasenene of the fraudulent sale of Muslim property.
But the court said Mubajje lied when he said the properties had not been sold. His rivals threatened to elect their own Mufti, saying Mubajje was a discredited liar unfit to lead Ugandan Muslims.
The meeting with Museveni is seen as an attempt to resolve the matter through dialogue.
Sources said the President had wanted to meet the two camps jointly. The Nakibinge group rejected the proposal, the sources said. The President promised to meet Mubajje’s side separately.
Among the anti-Mubajje members who attended the meeting at the State House Nakasero were Hajji Habib Kagimu, sheiks Mustapher Bahiga and Muhammad Kisambira. Kisambira, the spokesperson, would not give details of the meeting.
“It was a private meeting,†he said by telephone. Museveni’s press secretary Tamale Mirundi said: “The President met them because he wants harmony in society. Some people have been peddling lies so he wanted to clarify issues.â€
However, it was not clear what the meeting resolved. Sources said the anti-Mubajje side said they would only consider reconciling if Mubajje returned the property which his administration sold.
“We assured the President that we are not opposed to Mubajje, the individual, but the way he mishandled Muslim property,†a source said.
“Once we get the property back, we shall reach a compromise.â€
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni on Friday met the leaders of Muslims opposed to the Mufti, Sheik Shaban Mubajje.
Museveni, sources said, opposed the election of a parallel Muslim leadership, which the faction wants to do. Instead, the source added, Museveni advised them to reconcile and emphasised that having two Muftis at the same time would throw the Muslim community back to the chaotic situation of the 1990s. “Avoid divisions in the Muslim community because they come along with many consequences,†he warned.
“I don’t want a situation where two rival Muftis fight over a microphone at a public function like in the past.â€
Between 1980 and 1986, the Muslim community was split into two factions led by sheiks Kassim Mulumba and Abdul Obedi Kamulegeya. Once the NRM took power in 1986, the rivals reconciled but the bitter rivalry resurfaced in 1987, which pitted Muftis Saad Ibrahim Luwemba against Hussein Rajab Kakooza.
During Uganda’s 31st independence anniversary celebrations at Kololo Airstrip, Luwemba and Sheik Ahmed Mukasa who had replaced Kakooza, struggled for a microphone to lead prayers.
The current wrangle was sparked off when the court acquitted Mubajje, council vice-chairman Hassan Basajjabalaba and former secretary general Edris Kasenene of the fraudulent sale of Muslim property.
But the court said Mubajje lied when he said the properties had not been sold. His rivals threatened to elect their own Mufti, saying Mubajje was a discredited liar unfit to lead Ugandan Muslims.
The meeting with Museveni is seen as an attempt to resolve the matter through dialogue.
Sources said the President had wanted to meet the two camps jointly. The Nakibinge group rejected the proposal, the sources said. The President promised to meet Mubajje’s side separately.
Among the anti-Mubajje members who attended the meeting at the State House Nakasero were Hajji Habib Kagimu, sheiks Mustapher Bahiga and Muhammad Kisambira. Kisambira, the spokesperson, would not give details of the meeting.
“It was a private meeting,†he said by telephone. Museveni’s press secretary Tamale Mirundi said: “The President met them because he wants harmony in society. Some people have been peddling lies so he wanted to clarify issues.â€
However, it was not clear what the meeting resolved. Sources said the anti-Mubajje side said they would only consider reconciling if Mubajje returned the property which his administration sold.
“We assured the President that we are not opposed to Mubajje, the individual, but the way he mishandled Muslim property,†a source said.
“Once we get the property back, we shall reach a compromise.â€