Muslim elections must go on despite protests says UMSC

Apr 27, 2012

THE Uganda Muslim Supreme Council insists that national elections to elect new leaders will be held this afternoon despite resistance from the Kibuli rival group.

By Jeff Andrew Lule, Andrew Ssenyonga and Saudah Nakandha    

THE Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) insists that national elections to elect new leaders will be held this afternoon despite resistance from the Kibuli rival group.

 UMSC Electoral Commission chairman, Ahmed Kayongo last evening said, "The election materials have already been delivered to all mosques. No one can stop us since the exercise was legally organized.

Whoever is not satisfied should go to court. It is going to be a secret ballot to have transparency. We want a free and fair election," he said. In Kampala, the exercise will be held at Old Kampala the set of UMSC.

All registered Muslims are today Friday expected to participate in the exercise to elect Mosque executive committee members country wide in 54 districts.

The exercise which is to take place at 9,000 Juma Mosques will involve electing of a chairman, secretary, treasurer and other five committee members.

Other elections are to be held on April 30th at the Muslim County level and May 3rd at the Muslim district level.

 Kayongo added that this is a religious exercise and although some sections have expressed fears, we expect smooth operations. "We do not need Police. We have never called for security during prayers nor when we carrying out other activities," he said.

Old Kampala Police Station boss, Rushoke Kituuma howver sauid his squad is on standby to contain any kind of action intended to disrupt the exercise. 

"Our work is to maintain law and order and we shall make sure it is a peaceful exercise. We are going to deploy our officers to oversee the exercise in various areas," Kituuma warned.

Yesterday, one of the Top Muslim Clerics, Sheikh Nuhu Muzaata from the Kibuli rival Group vowed not to allow the exercise to take place. He urged all Muslims not to take part in the exercise alleging that it was illegal. Ends

 

 

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});