LWENGO.
The vice chairperson of ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) Hajj Moses Kigongo has slammed Muslim faithful who have repeatedly asked President Museveni to intervene in the community unending leadership wrangles.
Representing President Museveni during the burial of former Supreme Mufti , Sheikh Silman Kasule Ndirangwa at Kirayangoma in Kisekka Sub County ,Lwengo District ,Hajj Kigongo said the wrangles were ignited by Muslims themselves and it is their responsibility to stop them .
“ I have heard many people and one of them has repeated it here that President should intervene in the Muslim leadership wrangles claiming that the person at the centre of all these wrangles Mufti Shaban Mubajje is his man .
I don’t buy the idea . President Museveni is not a Muslim. It is you -the Muslims to resolve your issues ,” he said
Mufti Mubajje,70 who has been at the helm of Uganda Muslim Supreme Council leadership since December 2000 is facing a credibility test after a section of believers accused him of running down UMSC and irregularly selling off prime community properties .
Even when he clocked the mandatory 70 years ,the retirement age for Muftis , Sheikh Mubajje in March unapologetically extended his tenure for another five years ,claiming that he still needed more time to prepare for a peaceful transition-a move that was widely opposed by Muslims and non-Muslims all together .
Hajj Kigongo also took a swipe at Muslim top clerics saying many are hypocrites’ who hide in religion to push for personal interests .
“Most of your fights are personal and should end. For me I am above that .
Always think about Islam first not personal interests,” he said
President Museveni contributed Shs30m as condolence money to the bereaved family and another Shs30m for the medical bills .
Sheikh Ndirangwa ,62 died on Friday evening at Mengo Hospital in Kampala where he was admitted a week ago. He was battling both diabetes and high blood pressure.
Sheikh Ndirangwa served as the spiritual head of the Kibuli Muslim administration until his unexpected resignation in 2021.
He succeeded Sheikh Zubair Kayongo, who passed away in April 2015, becoming the second leader to hold the title of Supreme Mufti under the Kibuli faction. This group broke away from the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) based at Old Kampala in 2009 over concerns about alleged mismanagement and abuse of Muslim properties.
During the same burial, former state for investment Muhammad Mbabaali , said Ndirangwa was the only high ranking Muslim leader from Masaka sub region and his demise was a big blow to the community .
“He [Ndirangwa] has been the only high ranking Muslim cleric hailing from Masaka and we pray that another cleric from this area is chosen to lead the Muslim community in Uganda like Sheikh Ndirangwa did ,” he said
However , the burial did not go without drama . One of the female member of the family shouted down Kampala Central legislator and newly elected President of the Ecological Party Muhammad Nsereko accusing him of bringing politics at Ndirangwa’s funeral .
“Please help us and don’t bring your politics here ,we are mourning Sheikh who was not a politician and let us bury him in peace ,” an unidentified woman shouted as Nsereko announced to the mourners that he will stand for president in next year’s general elections .