History and money behind the Basajja, Mubajje saga
Mufti Shaban Mubajje and the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMCS) chairman Hassan Basajjabalaba are baying for each other’s blood! Shocking but not surprising. The woes of the Muslim fraternity did not start yesterday. The problem has a historical explanation.
By Rashid Nyonjo
Mufti Shaban Mubajje and the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMCS) chairman Hassan Basajjabalaba are baying for each other’s blood! Shocking but not surprising. The woes of the Muslim fraternity did not start yesterday. The problem has a historical explanation.
For the benefit of non–Muslims, I will attempt an overview of the intriguing history of Islam’s connection with Buganda and how it all spills out into the fracas we see today. Kabaka Ssuna whose place was at Wamala had named Prince Mbogo as Kabaka after his own demise. The subjects already looked upon Mbogo as the heir apparent and revered him well in advance.
Around the same time, the Arabs had come introducing Islam to Kabaka Suuna. The Arabs stayed and although their focus was trade, contrary to popular belief, actually started literacy classes enabling many converts to start reading and writing—in Arabic using the English alphabet. Kabaka Suuna saw the wisdom in learning more about this foreign culture with ist varied sophistication; and about the much talked about Allah who sounded (and is indeed) invincible. But the Kabaka was torn between conversion and the norms of his culture which forbade a king from shedding a drop of his blood. He converted as a strategic compromise. Naturally, he was circumcised as all Muslim males do. This, however, meant giving up the throne. Prince Mutesa therefore became Kabaka on amicable understanding. Some observers have argued that many subjects still looked upon Prince Mbogo as the de facto Kabaka.
In essence, there was Kabaka Mutesa I sitting on Namulondo (official throne) while Prince Mbogo commanded almost equal respect. Amongst Muslims in Uganda, there is a phrase “Jjajja wo Busilamu†(grandfather of Islam). This title is for Prince Mbogo and by extension, his lineage – Badru Kakungulu and now Prince Kasim Nakibinge. Prince Mbogo was highly educated and traveled and was behind the construction of the first mosque in Uganda at Kibuli.
If you are a Muganda, and a loyal (read conservative) Muslim Muganda, surely your heart would be at Kibuli and not Old Kampala. A traditional Muganda Protestant or a Muganda Catholic is respectively more inclined to Namirembe and Rubaga and not All Saints and Christ the King.
So what has this all got to do with Mubajje and Basajjabalaba amongst Ugandan Muslims? The answer is in two words—money and history.
Money is disturbing our leaders, or to follow the wise counsel of the Holy Book, the devil is busy manipulating the leaders and sending Muslims in disarray. We continue to be laughing stocks associated with polygamy, illiteracy, fraud, money laundering, lies, anger and hatred and all the negative superlatives you can think of. Why do I say so?
I am reliably informed that at the height of the Mubajje accusations, the magnanimous, albeit maverick Muammar Gaddafi plane-chartered a representative delegation to Libya. In short, he called for a truce and offered good counsel on peaceful co-existence. “Money is disturbing you Ugandans. Now here it is. Instead of making yourselves the laughing stock of all and sundry by going to court, I want you here and now to make amends in Allah’s name. Go back, refund all monies taken rightfully and wrongly and let Islam flourish in Uganda without blemish,†he said.
My source, an academic and arguably neutral delegate says the warring parties could hardly say “asalaam†(peace be upon you) when at the dinner table or in the hotel foyer. It was a ‘holy war’–period! With Gaddafi’s arbitration, there were some beguiling smiles and handshakes. But as soon as the chartered plane landed at Entebbe, fist fights almost broke out and different exists were used at the terminal! Cold water was poured over Gaddafi’s generous intervention meant to nurture peace! I am also aware that our pragmatic and far-sighted leader, President Museveni, has equally attempted various approaches to understand the intricacy amongst Muslims and help mend fences.
That leads me to the historical explanation. Owing to the saga narrated, many Baganda Muslims will always look at Kibuli as the “mbuga.†(parallel official court or throne). That can be understood. Prince Nakibinge certainly commands much influence especially among Baganda Muslims. That too, is understandable. The problem is escalated when self-seeking “leaders†capitalise on these inevitable differences and want to sow hatred, disunity and bloodshed. I was shocked to hear some Muslims threaten to burn the mosque at Old Kampala—Gaddfai’s generous gift to Uganda.
Whether you are very attached to Kibuli, think ill of Sheikh Mubajje and adore Sheikh Kayongo, why contemplate destroying God’s shrine, a structure which is an outstanding landmark of the whole country? This mindset can only be understood by appreciating the power of power. The utterances of leaders can sway illiterate masses one way or the other.
Muslims, by virtue of polygamous families, (allowed on certain conditions) are likely to stay trapped in the cycle of poverty and low education—comparatively speaking. To illicit emotions in such masses only takes a good orator. Then the consequences start and spread like a summer fire. We are headed for Muslims slaughtering Muslims. So what is the way forward? First, we need to get out of the box. Islam is bigger than Buganda, it is bigger than Uganda, it is bigger than Africa. Islam, the fastest growing faith is now the religion of about two billion out of the world’s seven billion people. Can we transcend our history, our personal feelings and sentiments for the good of Islam?
Do we want to replicate the Shiite/Suuna wars related to who should lead after Prophet Muhammad? (May Peace be upon him). Pope Benedict XVI insinuated that Islam as a religion seemed to promote violence. This lamentation provoked by such incidents like the ‘Rushdie event’ caused an uproar. The Vatican leader —never mind his political, financial and possibly military muscle, apologised to the Muslim world and the matter was put to rest. More importantly, he demonstrated that religious leaders should be the epitome of humility, love, compassion, peace and understanding. I challenge all Muslim scholars to quote for me a line which promotes disunity and violence amongst Muslims.
If our leaders truly believe in the teachings of the Holy Quran, let the UMSC chairman, Basajjabalaba as well as Mufti Mubajje resign forthwith. Let a new constitution be drafted for the UMSC—if indeed we must have such a body. If we cannot hold together, let the UMSC be dissolved. UMSC was registered and formed to strengthen Muslims of Uganda –regardless of tribe, creed or status.
Basajjabalaba, you have enough on your plate with the Regency chain of hotels, Kampala International University and a string of many other businesses. Your name is tainted with allegations whether valid or baseless. Shiekh Mubajje, a good leader is exemplary. Resign not because you are guilty as charged but to allow the work of God to flourish. A man of your stature and education can do many things without an ignoble legacy.
Sheikh Kayongo, resign and disband. It is not because we think Mubajje is innocent but to attest that Islam is not being hijacked by parochialism bestowed upon us by history. May Allah forgive me if I have uttered a falsehood, Inshalla (God willing).
I end with this verse from Surah Fathah Verse 28: “ It is He who has sent His Messenger with Guidance and the Religion of Truth, to make it prevail over all religion; and enough is Allah for a witness.
Mufti Shaban Mubajje and the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMCS) chairman Hassan Basajjabalaba are baying for each other’s blood! Shocking but not surprising. The woes of the Muslim fraternity did not start yesterday. The problem has a historical explanation.
For the benefit of non–Muslims, I will attempt an overview of the intriguing history of Islam’s connection with Buganda and how it all spills out into the fracas we see today. Kabaka Ssuna whose place was at Wamala had named Prince Mbogo as Kabaka after his own demise. The subjects already looked upon Mbogo as the heir apparent and revered him well in advance.
Around the same time, the Arabs had come introducing Islam to Kabaka Suuna. The Arabs stayed and although their focus was trade, contrary to popular belief, actually started literacy classes enabling many converts to start reading and writing—in Arabic using the English alphabet. Kabaka Suuna saw the wisdom in learning more about this foreign culture with ist varied sophistication; and about the much talked about Allah who sounded (and is indeed) invincible. But the Kabaka was torn between conversion and the norms of his culture which forbade a king from shedding a drop of his blood. He converted as a strategic compromise. Naturally, he was circumcised as all Muslim males do. This, however, meant giving up the throne. Prince Mutesa therefore became Kabaka on amicable understanding. Some observers have argued that many subjects still looked upon Prince Mbogo as the de facto Kabaka.
In essence, there was Kabaka Mutesa I sitting on Namulondo (official throne) while Prince Mbogo commanded almost equal respect. Amongst Muslims in Uganda, there is a phrase “Jjajja wo Busilamu†(grandfather of Islam). This title is for Prince Mbogo and by extension, his lineage – Badru Kakungulu and now Prince Kasim Nakibinge. Prince Mbogo was highly educated and traveled and was behind the construction of the first mosque in Uganda at Kibuli.
If you are a Muganda, and a loyal (read conservative) Muslim Muganda, surely your heart would be at Kibuli and not Old Kampala. A traditional Muganda Protestant or a Muganda Catholic is respectively more inclined to Namirembe and Rubaga and not All Saints and Christ the King.
So what has this all got to do with Mubajje and Basajjabalaba amongst Ugandan Muslims? The answer is in two words—money and history.
Money is disturbing our leaders, or to follow the wise counsel of the Holy Book, the devil is busy manipulating the leaders and sending Muslims in disarray. We continue to be laughing stocks associated with polygamy, illiteracy, fraud, money laundering, lies, anger and hatred and all the negative superlatives you can think of. Why do I say so?
I am reliably informed that at the height of the Mubajje accusations, the magnanimous, albeit maverick Muammar Gaddafi plane-chartered a representative delegation to Libya. In short, he called for a truce and offered good counsel on peaceful co-existence. “Money is disturbing you Ugandans. Now here it is. Instead of making yourselves the laughing stock of all and sundry by going to court, I want you here and now to make amends in Allah’s name. Go back, refund all monies taken rightfully and wrongly and let Islam flourish in Uganda without blemish,†he said.
My source, an academic and arguably neutral delegate says the warring parties could hardly say “asalaam†(peace be upon you) when at the dinner table or in the hotel foyer. It was a ‘holy war’–period! With Gaddafi’s arbitration, there were some beguiling smiles and handshakes. But as soon as the chartered plane landed at Entebbe, fist fights almost broke out and different exists were used at the terminal! Cold water was poured over Gaddafi’s generous intervention meant to nurture peace! I am also aware that our pragmatic and far-sighted leader, President Museveni, has equally attempted various approaches to understand the intricacy amongst Muslims and help mend fences.
That leads me to the historical explanation. Owing to the saga narrated, many Baganda Muslims will always look at Kibuli as the “mbuga.†(parallel official court or throne). That can be understood. Prince Nakibinge certainly commands much influence especially among Baganda Muslims. That too, is understandable. The problem is escalated when self-seeking “leaders†capitalise on these inevitable differences and want to sow hatred, disunity and bloodshed. I was shocked to hear some Muslims threaten to burn the mosque at Old Kampala—Gaddfai’s generous gift to Uganda.
Whether you are very attached to Kibuli, think ill of Sheikh Mubajje and adore Sheikh Kayongo, why contemplate destroying God’s shrine, a structure which is an outstanding landmark of the whole country? This mindset can only be understood by appreciating the power of power. The utterances of leaders can sway illiterate masses one way or the other.
Muslims, by virtue of polygamous families, (allowed on certain conditions) are likely to stay trapped in the cycle of poverty and low education—comparatively speaking. To illicit emotions in such masses only takes a good orator. Then the consequences start and spread like a summer fire. We are headed for Muslims slaughtering Muslims. So what is the way forward? First, we need to get out of the box. Islam is bigger than Buganda, it is bigger than Uganda, it is bigger than Africa. Islam, the fastest growing faith is now the religion of about two billion out of the world’s seven billion people. Can we transcend our history, our personal feelings and sentiments for the good of Islam?
Do we want to replicate the Shiite/Suuna wars related to who should lead after Prophet Muhammad? (May Peace be upon him). Pope Benedict XVI insinuated that Islam as a religion seemed to promote violence. This lamentation provoked by such incidents like the ‘Rushdie event’ caused an uproar. The Vatican leader —never mind his political, financial and possibly military muscle, apologised to the Muslim world and the matter was put to rest. More importantly, he demonstrated that religious leaders should be the epitome of humility, love, compassion, peace and understanding. I challenge all Muslim scholars to quote for me a line which promotes disunity and violence amongst Muslims.
If our leaders truly believe in the teachings of the Holy Quran, let the UMSC chairman, Basajjabalaba as well as Mufti Mubajje resign forthwith. Let a new constitution be drafted for the UMSC—if indeed we must have such a body. If we cannot hold together, let the UMSC be dissolved. UMSC was registered and formed to strengthen Muslims of Uganda –regardless of tribe, creed or status.
Basajjabalaba, you have enough on your plate with the Regency chain of hotels, Kampala International University and a string of many other businesses. Your name is tainted with allegations whether valid or baseless. Shiekh Mubajje, a good leader is exemplary. Resign not because you are guilty as charged but to allow the work of God to flourish. A man of your stature and education can do many things without an ignoble legacy.
Sheikh Kayongo, resign and disband. It is not because we think Mubajje is innocent but to attest that Islam is not being hijacked by parochialism bestowed upon us by history. May Allah forgive me if I have uttered a falsehood, Inshalla (God willing).
I end with this verse from Surah Fathah Verse 28: “ It is He who has sent His Messenger with Guidance and the Religion of Truth, to make it prevail over all religion; and enough is Allah for a witness.