MASAKA.
The Muslim youths under their umbrella association Jamuiyat Da’awa Tabliq Assalafiyya have blamed the current leadership stalemate at Uganda Muslim Supreme council (UMSC) on government claiming that it shields the embattled mufti whose tenure of office elapsed this month.
Sheikh Shaban Mubajje, the mufti of Uganda who has been in office since December 2000 is currently facing intense pressure from a wider Muslim community who claim that he would have vacated office on March 12 ,2025 after clocking 70 years, the mandatory retirement age for a mufti.
However, using the UMSC structures (Majlis Al Ulmah and executive committee) Mubajje has since secured a 5-year extended term, together with his deputy Sheikh Muhammad Waiswa, claiming that he still needs time to prepare what he termed as a peaceful transition of leadership at UMSC.
While delivering joint Idd – ul -Fitr summon at Masaka Golf Course Sheikh Miradu Kaluma, the spokesperson Uganda Muslim Tabliq Community (Jamuiyat Da’awa Tabligh Assalafiyya), said if government was not supporting Mubajje, he would have respected the UMSC constitution and give a chance to Muslims to choose another leader.
“ Muslims recently got a ‘new leader’, Sheikh Ramadhan Mubbajje, we congratulate him and we ask the government to protect him and be in leadership until the day of judgment, if he thinks that there is no one who can lead Muslims in Uganda other than him,” Sheikh Kaluma sarcastically said
Sheikh Kaluma added that the ministers that attended the Idd prayers should help them deliver their dissatisfactory message to President Museveni , that they are not happy with what is happening at the UMSC, saying it was improper for Mubajje to stay in leadership claiming that he is preparing for a peaceful transition wondering who declared him to be a life Muslim leader of in Uganda.
Mr Ofwono Opondo ,the director of Uganda Media Centre, the government information clearing house advised Muslims to settle their leadership issues internally other than accusing the government of sidelining and shielding the current leaders. “Religious institutions are private entities, they should settle their leadership issues, since the government is not in any way interfering in the running of affairs at their headquarters.” He added.
Masaka Regional Khadi under the parallel Kibuli Muslim administration Sheikh Badru Wasajja Kiruuta, also warned Muslims to be extra careful and avoid tainting the image of Islam as the country enters into intense political season.
While delivering his Idd message at Masaka Main Mosque, Sheikh Kiruuta, urged Muslims to be careful by avoiding uttering words and getting involved in activities that may put them at risk of being arrested.
“Fully participate in politics ,but be careful of whatever you say and do that may put you in trouble because the Muslim community has suffered enough .We don’t want to see more Muslim arrested and charged on relatively trumped up charges.” he added.
He however urged the government to release all political prisoners arrested during the 2021 General Election to create a room for reconciliation with members of the opposition.
“Politics is just a season that comes and goes ,but Ugandans regardless of their political affiliations, will remain here and we need to see them in peace even after elections.” he added .
State Minister for Microfinance Haruna Kyeyune Kasolo, urged Muslims to fully embrace government programs designed to improve household income among Ugandans.
He also asked Muslims to be proud of Muslims occupying key government positions like him because they play a big role in developing Muslim community.
However Sheikh Kaluma said that Muslims have welcomed many government programs in the past, but a number of them have shunned the much touted Parish Development Model (PDM) because they believe it attracts interest (usury) which is strictly prohibited under the Islamic teachings asking government to consider remodeling it or design programs that don’t have such limitations and the Muslims will be ready to embrace them because they also need to have a share on the national cake.
Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi, the state minister for youths and Children Affairs who also attended the Idd prayers, commended Muslims of Masaka for embracing unity despite having factions in the national top leadership.
“I am happy that Muslims in Masaka have taken up to themselves to embrace the unity which is taught by several Islamic teachings and qur’anic verse and we ask the Muslims in the entire country to emulate this, in the same way I ask people of Masaka to forgive the government if it wronged them in anyway, because they will not benefit much in the government if they continue opposing it” he added.
The joint Idd prayers brought together Muslims from over 20 mosques in the two divisions of Masaka City.
Sheikh Shaban Mubajje, the mufti of Uganda who has been in office since December 2000 is currently facing intense pressure from a wider Muslim community who claim that he would have vacated office on March 12 ,2025 after clocking 70 years, the mandatory retirement age for a mufti.
However, using the UMSC structures (Majlis Al Ulmah and executive committee) Mubajje has since secured a 5-year extended term, together with his deputy Sheikh Muhammad Waiswa, claiming that he still needs time to prepare what he termed as a peaceful transition of leadership at UMSC.
While delivering joint Idd – ul -Fitr summon at Masaka Golf Course Sheikh Miradu Kaluma, the spokesperson Uganda Muslim Tabliq Community (Jamuiyat Da’awa Tabligh Assalafiyya), said if government was not supporting Mubajje, he would have respected the UMSC constitution and give a chance to Muslims to choose another leader.
“ Muslims recently got a ‘new leader’, Sheikh Ramadhan Mubbajje, we congratulate him and we ask the government to protect him and be in leadership until the day of judgment, if he thinks that there is no one who can lead Muslims in Uganda other than him,” Sheikh Kaluma sarcastically said
Sheikh Kaluma added that the ministers that attended the Idd prayers should help them deliver their dissatisfactory message to President Museveni , that they are not happy with what is happening at the UMSC, saying it was improper for Mubajje to stay in leadership claiming that he is preparing for a peaceful transition wondering who declared him to be a life Muslim leader of in Uganda.
Mr Ofwono Opondo ,the director of Uganda Media Centre, the government information clearing house advised Muslims to settle their leadership issues internally other than accusing the government of sidelining and shielding the current leaders. “Religious institutions are private entities, they should settle their leadership issues, since the government is not in any way interfering in the running of affairs at their headquarters.” He added.
Masaka Regional Khadi under the parallel Kibuli Muslim administration Sheikh Badru Wasajja Kiruuta, also warned Muslims to be extra careful and avoid tainting the image of Islam as the country enters into intense political season.
While delivering his Idd message at Masaka Main Mosque, Sheikh Kiruuta, urged Muslims to be careful by avoiding uttering words and getting involved in activities that may put them at risk of being arrested.
“Fully participate in politics ,but be careful of whatever you say and do that may put you in trouble because the Muslim community has suffered enough .We don’t want to see more Muslim arrested and charged on relatively trumped up charges.” he added.
He however urged the government to release all political prisoners arrested during the 2021 General Election to create a room for reconciliation with members of the opposition.
“Politics is just a season that comes and goes ,but Ugandans regardless of their political affiliations, will remain here and we need to see them in peace even after elections.” he added .
State Minister for Microfinance Haruna Kyeyune Kasolo, urged Muslims to fully embrace government programs designed to improve household income among Ugandans.
He also asked Muslims to be proud of Muslims occupying key government positions like him because they play a big role in developing Muslim community.
However Sheikh Kaluma said that Muslims have welcomed many government programs in the past, but a number of them have shunned the much touted Parish Development Model (PDM) because they believe it attracts interest (usury) which is strictly prohibited under the Islamic teachings asking government to consider remodeling it or design programs that don’t have such limitations and the Muslims will be ready to embrace them because they also need to have a share on the national cake.
Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi, the state minister for youths and Children Affairs who also attended the Idd prayers, commended Muslims of Masaka for embracing unity despite having factions in the national top leadership.
“I am happy that Muslims in Masaka have taken up to themselves to embrace the unity which is taught by several Islamic teachings and qur’anic verse and we ask the Muslims in the entire country to emulate this, in the same way I ask people of Masaka to forgive the government if it wronged them in anyway, because they will not benefit much in the government if they continue opposing it” he added.
The joint Idd prayers brought together Muslims from over 20 mosques in the two divisions of Masaka City.