Sh3b for Muslim martyrs site at Namugongo

By Farooq Kasule & Andrew Ssenyonga         

The Uganda Muslim supreme council (UMSC) on Monday launched a sh3b development plan for the Muslim martyrs' site at Namugongo in Wakiso district.

The council is set to construct a Mosque (Masjid Noor Namugongo martyrs), a primary School, library, guest house and a museum where they will keep the first Quran in Uganda that was given to Kabaka Muteesa I and a kettle he used to get ablution among others.

The land was donated by the former president of Uganda, Idi Amin Dada for Muslims to build a mosque in 1975 as a way of commemorating the shuhada (Muslim martyrs) killed.

The deputy Mufti of Uganda, Sheik Hatwib Mukuluwakika, noted that though the space is not enough it still has to be developed first as they devise means of expanding the land.

He called upon Muslims to support the project because it would benefit the Ummah (faith) in terms of tourism.

"I call upon every Muslim and well-wishers to donate towards the project. Whether you belong to which faction, the end result is we all belong to the UMSC and its leadership keeps on changing and this project is not for individual benefit," he said

The council and the Muslim community in Uganda on Monday also joined the celebrations of the Uganda Muslim martyrs' day at Namugongo with the theme of tracing the roots of Islam in Uganda.

"We have declared June 1 every year as the official day; the UMSC will always commemorate those who died for Islam," Mukuluwakika said.

"We have also joined other believers (faiths) to celebrate the memories of those who died for the religion," he said.

Mukuluwakika also called upon all schools and institutions to register with the UMSC to bring to light the rich history and highlight the importance of Islam in shaping culture and politics of Uganda.

Mukuluwakika, "This day will also be used to mark the establishment of the UMSC founded by President Idi Amin on June 1, 1972."

The function was attended by over 500 Muslims who were entertained by school pupils with Kaswida which attracted a number Christians who flocked at Namugongo to join them.

Sheik Suleiman Ndirangwa, the Kampala district Kadhi said unlike Christians, Muslims do not celebrate martyrs' day as it would be against the teachings of Islam.

He recited Quran 3:169 which states that Muslim martyrs have their reward with Allah.

UMSC spokesperson Nsereko Mutumba said that the focus of the event was not to celebrate martyrs' day but to give respect to the Muslim martyrs.

"This would also help in boosting tourism due its values. We do not want to be left out by other religions," he explained.

Among the Muslims who were killed at Namugongo are: Mponyebuwonyi

Muddu,Biira,Bamutalira,Mukwanga,Kaganyulo,Bazzekuketa,Kalule,Nsereko,Kisegula,Mabende,Mukeka,Namwanira,Mafembe,Muwanga.

Kampala university boss Badru Kateregga said that though Muslims are not making a pilgrimage to Namugongo there was a need to remember people who fought and died in the cause of the Islamic religion.

"We are not making a pilgrimage but we want to develop our place. The only place we make pilgrimage is mecca. But we need to develop this place just like others religions have done," he said.

He also launched a architectual plans for the Muslim martyrs' cite that will cost over sh3b, a copy of which was given to president Museveni for support.