Muslims opposed to the leadership of Mufti Shaban Mubajje have asked President Museveni to stop meddling in their affairs, warning that this might “cost his government dearly.”
The leaders accuse the President of allying with Mufti Mubajje to cause confusion within the Muslim community by manipulating the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) constitution to sell off Muslim property.
Speaking to Muslims at Kibuli Mosque on Thursday, Hajj Muhammad Kisambira, the secretary general for the Kibuli-based faction, said of all the regimes which have governed Uganda, it is the NRM government which has despised Muslims to the extent of making non-Muslims supervise their affairs.
Hajj Kisambira also accused the President of involving State agents like Resident District Commissioners and security intelligence agents in supervising Muslim activities, including the election of new representatives to UMSC general assembly which Sheikh Mubajje is reportedly spearheading.
“It is said Idi Amin was a murderer but he managed to streamline Muslims. [Milton] Obote also had his weaknesses but he did not suppress Muslims the way Mr Museveni has done in his 26-year-old regime. We are calling on all Muslims in Uganda who care about their religion to redeem it. We are warning Museveni’s government that should these elections go on as planned, that will be the spark for his downfall,” he warned.
The warning came just a day before the Muslim community that supports Mufti Mubajje went to polls yesterday (Friday), to elect members to the supreme council. The Kibuli Hill-based factions on Thursday marched to the seat of the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council in Old Kampala to oust Sheikh Mubajje but were confronted by police.
“Court declared that man (Mubajje) a liar and is the very one organising elections for Muslims. He thinks we are fools and whenever we go to see the President to have these matters resolved, he also keeps on fooling us. He (Museveni) knows very well what he (Mubajje) is doing but he is simply pampering him,” said Sheikh Ndawula Swidiq who led the Friday prayers.
Mirundi defends President
But Mr Tamale Mirundi, the presidential press secretary defended his boss’ actions, saying the President only intervenes in Muslims affairs on security grounds or on invitation by the Muslims.
“Those people forget too quickly. They have been in State House on a number of occasions together with Mubajje pleading with the President to help them resolve their differences. Why did they go there if they don’t need his help?” Mr Mirundi asked.
“Are they seeing Catholic bishops taking their matter to the President? If they do not want to take part in the exercise, let them stay home and those who want [can] vote.”
Police intervenes
The elections at mosque level are intended to fill the 110 positions of the General Assembly which Mubajje dissolved a couple of years ago.
On Thursday, anti-Mubajje clerics marched from Kibuli through the city centre to Gaddafi National Mosque in Old Kampala, the seat of the Islamic faith in an attempt to block yesterday’s grassroots Muslim elections.
However, the police confronted the group and fired teargas and live bullets to disperse it.
Elections
UMSC publicist Nsereko Mutumba said the elections will go on as planned despite threats from the anti-Mubajje group to interrupt the exercise countrywide.
However, there was heavy police presence at Gaddifi National Mosque-Old Kampala.