Court blocks new Masaka Kadhi
Jun 22, 2009
THE High Court in Masaka has ordered the district Muslim council offices, which have been under Police guard, to be reopened.
By Ali Mambule
in Masaka
THE High Court in Masaka has ordered the district Muslim council offices, which have been under Police guard, to be reopened.
The newly-elected district Kadhi, Sheikh Ndugga, was, however, blocked from assuming office until a petition against him is heard.
The ousted district Kadhi, Sheikh Huzairu Kiruuta, had asked the court to have him reinstated. Kiruuta is a supporter of the Mufti, Sheikh Shaban Mubajje.
“Ndugga should stop calling himself district Kadhi and should not access any of the Muslim council property,†the petition read.
The court, however, allowed Ndugga to enter the mosque.
“The district Muslim council chairman, Sheikh Ismail Musisi, the council secretary, Sheikh Ahmed Kayemba and other officials should be allowed to access their offices and carry on with their duties,†the registrar, J.B Segirinnya, said in a ruling on Friday.
The interim order, he said, would be valid untill July 9, when the next hearing is due.
“It would be upon the judge to either extend this ruling or cancel it,†Segirinnya said.
He noted that the row had affected development programmes among Muslims.
“The Constitution provides that the Muslim faith carries out charitable services like health and education to the community. These have been at a standstill since the district Muslim council ousted the Kadhi.â€
Segirinnya wondered why the Muslim council had sacked Kiruuta, who has served for over 30 years, without a honourable and dignified exit.
But the district Police commander, Haruna Isabirye, said the offices at the mosque would remain closed.
“I have not received the court order. It has to be forwarded to the Police headquarters in Kampala. We will examine the situation before we reopen †he said.
in Masaka
THE High Court in Masaka has ordered the district Muslim council offices, which have been under Police guard, to be reopened.
The newly-elected district Kadhi, Sheikh Ndugga, was, however, blocked from assuming office until a petition against him is heard.
The ousted district Kadhi, Sheikh Huzairu Kiruuta, had asked the court to have him reinstated. Kiruuta is a supporter of the Mufti, Sheikh Shaban Mubajje.
“Ndugga should stop calling himself district Kadhi and should not access any of the Muslim council property,†the petition read.
The court, however, allowed Ndugga to enter the mosque.
“The district Muslim council chairman, Sheikh Ismail Musisi, the council secretary, Sheikh Ahmed Kayemba and other officials should be allowed to access their offices and carry on with their duties,†the registrar, J.B Segirinnya, said in a ruling on Friday.
The interim order, he said, would be valid untill July 9, when the next hearing is due.
“It would be upon the judge to either extend this ruling or cancel it,†Segirinnya said.
He noted that the row had affected development programmes among Muslims.
“The Constitution provides that the Muslim faith carries out charitable services like health and education to the community. These have been at a standstill since the district Muslim council ousted the Kadhi.â€
Segirinnya wondered why the Muslim council had sacked Kiruuta, who has served for over 30 years, without a honourable and dignified exit.
But the district Police commander, Haruna Isabirye, said the offices at the mosque would remain closed.
“I have not received the court order. It has to be forwarded to the Police headquarters in Kampala. We will examine the situation before we reopen †he said.