Kibuli Muslim leadership hereditary—Mubajje

By Umaru Kashaka

The Mufti of Uganda Sheikh Shaban Mubajje has thrown a barb at Kibuli Muslim faction, describing it as "purely hereditary".

The Kibuli group parted ways with Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) in Old Kampala in January 2009, following a legal and religious standoff.

The conflict stemmed from accusations against Mubajje over the controversial sale of Muslim properties.

In a press statement issued by UMSC spokesperson, Haji Nsereko Mutumba, Mubajje said despite the fact that the late Prince Badru Kakungulu was the head of the Kibuli establishment, he recognised Old Kampala as the UMSC Headquarters.

He hailed Kakungulu (father of Prince Kassim Nakibinge) for the role he played in making the current UMSC constitution.

He said Kakungulu's endorsement of the UMSC constitution was a clear sign that leadership by hereditary or succession should be separated from the constitutional leadership based on qualifications.

"It would be unbecoming of me to try to influence who should lead the Kibuli establishment because leadership there is purely a hereditary," the Mufti remarked.

According to the statement, Mubajje made the remarks on Sunday while addressing thousands of Muslims and members of other faiths who attended Du'a (supplication) held in memory of the late Sheikh Imam Kassim Lukyamuzi in Rakai district.

Mubajje appealed to Muslims to bury the hatchet and embrace the ongoing Muslim unity drive.

The district Kadhi of Rakai district, Swaibu Kaweesi, said out of the 180 mosques he leads, it is only eight that have not yet joined the Muslim unity drive.

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