Masaka Muslim head reinstated
Jun 28, 2009
A brief scuffle ensued at Masaka district main mosque on Wednesday evening when supporters of Sheikh Swaibu Ndugga tried to block the troubled district Kadhi, Sheikh Huzairu Kiruta, from returning to his office.
By Dismus Buregyeya
A brief scuffle ensued at Masaka district main mosque on Wednesday evening when supporters of Sheikh Swaibu Ndugga tried to block the troubled district Kadhi, Sheikh Huzairu Kiruta, from returning to his office.
The mosque and nearby offices had been locked by Ndugga’s group, who insisted that Ndugga was the district Kadhi elected by the Masaka District Muslim Council in May.
Kiruta and his supporters, escorted by armed Police, arrived at the mosque at about 3:00pm, cut the padlocks and held prayers inside to mark the ousted Sheikh’s return.
Ndugga’s followers tried to block Kiruta’s entry, but were overpowered in a brief scuffle that was soon halted by the officer in charge of Masaka Central Police station, Andrew Gedoi.
Armed Police officers surrounded the mosque as Ndugga’s supporters hurled insults, accusing them of protecting men who have been violating Islam.
Ndugga’s election was challenged in court in a petition filed by Kiruta. The court will make a ruling on the matter on July 9.
The Masaka High Court registrar, JB Segirinnya, on Wednesday instructed the Police to re-open the mosque’s offices.
Court also ordered Sheik Ndugga to stop calling himself district kadhi and not to use any of the Muslim council property in the capacity of the district kadhi. He was, however, allowed to enter the mosque for prayers.
In a brief interview, Ndugga, who was elected in May by Masaka district Muslim council, said Kiruta’s stay in office was based on an interim arrangement.
“I am the real district kadhi with the support of the majority of the Muslims.
The truth will come out,†Ndugga argued.
However, the Secretary General of the Muslim Supreme Council, Sheikh Siraje Kavuma, told a press briefing last week at Laston Hotel in Masaka municipality, that Ndugga’s election was null and void.
“Imagine Sheikh Ndugga was sworn in without the knowledge of the Mufti, Shaban Mubajje, which is central to the Muslim Constitution. Besides, we did not get the three required names for vetting,†he said.
A brief scuffle ensued at Masaka district main mosque on Wednesday evening when supporters of Sheikh Swaibu Ndugga tried to block the troubled district Kadhi, Sheikh Huzairu Kiruta, from returning to his office.
The mosque and nearby offices had been locked by Ndugga’s group, who insisted that Ndugga was the district Kadhi elected by the Masaka District Muslim Council in May.
Kiruta and his supporters, escorted by armed Police, arrived at the mosque at about 3:00pm, cut the padlocks and held prayers inside to mark the ousted Sheikh’s return.
Ndugga’s followers tried to block Kiruta’s entry, but were overpowered in a brief scuffle that was soon halted by the officer in charge of Masaka Central Police station, Andrew Gedoi.
Armed Police officers surrounded the mosque as Ndugga’s supporters hurled insults, accusing them of protecting men who have been violating Islam.
Ndugga’s election was challenged in court in a petition filed by Kiruta. The court will make a ruling on the matter on July 9.
The Masaka High Court registrar, JB Segirinnya, on Wednesday instructed the Police to re-open the mosque’s offices.
Court also ordered Sheik Ndugga to stop calling himself district kadhi and not to use any of the Muslim council property in the capacity of the district kadhi. He was, however, allowed to enter the mosque for prayers.
In a brief interview, Ndugga, who was elected in May by Masaka district Muslim council, said Kiruta’s stay in office was based on an interim arrangement.
“I am the real district kadhi with the support of the majority of the Muslims.
The truth will come out,†Ndugga argued.
However, the Secretary General of the Muslim Supreme Council, Sheikh Siraje Kavuma, told a press briefing last week at Laston Hotel in Masaka municipality, that Ndugga’s election was null and void.
“Imagine Sheikh Ndugga was sworn in without the knowledge of the Mufti, Shaban Mubajje, which is central to the Muslim Constitution. Besides, we did not get the three required names for vetting,†he said.