The Kibuli Muslim faction has denied claims of unity and reconciliation with their Old Kampala counterparts.
The revelation followed earlier today’s media reports of a group of Muslims purportedly coming from the Kibuli Faction, Nakasero and Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) led by Mufti Mubajje meeting president Museveni and told him that they had buried their previous hatchets.
President Museveni in turn lauded the Muslims on this move chestthamped on his peace gospel which he said has continued to manifest in the country.
“I am happy because we as NRM discovered a long time ago that unity is strength. We have always preached against disunity. I want to thank you for reaching this unity,” the President said
“The eight years I spent fighting Amin, I was actually helped by Moslems like Abbas Kibazo of Kibuli, Zubair Bakali, among others. So uniting with all groups including Moslems helped us win because unity is power,” he added.
However, the revelation to the President and the general public must have been a hoax after the Kibuli faction has in less than a day rubbished the unity and reconciliation claims.
Muhammad Musoke Kiggundu the Director of Communication, Research and International Relations in a press statement said that the Office of the Mufti is an independent legal entity with its own constitution based on the Quran and Sunnah to guide the actions and decisions associated with the provision of ethical leadership and governance of Muslim Affairs in Uganda.
“We wish to inform the general public, Supreme Kadhis and all our Muslim Leadership structures countrywide that the Office of the Supreme Mufti was neither invited, nor involved in the purported unity talks,” he said adding,
“We would like to express our sincere gratitude to H.E. the President of Uganda, Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Tibuhaburwa Museveni for his untiring efforts and unwavering commitment towards the peaceful resolution of Muslim leadership affairs.”
The delegation that met and confirmed the unity and reconciliation development to the President on behalf of Kibuli faction included Sheikh Silimani Kasule Ndirangwa, Sheikh Mahmoud Ssebuggwawo Kibaate, Sheikh Abdul Obeid Kamulegeya and Sheikh Hamid Kateregga
Kiggundu however, refuted the impression created the above have the mandate to represent or speak for the office of the Supreme Mufti and that they are not part of the Administration of the Office of the Supreme Mufti.
“We are open to honest, genuine and sincere engagements leading to Muslim unity and quality service delivery to the Muslim community,” he said.
Since the late ’80s, the Ugandan Muslim fraternity has been faced with a lot of issues stirred with a lot of anger, accusations, speculations and disunity, especially in the leadership positions and the Moslem property.
The Kibuli faction for example has for many years accused the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) led by His Eminence Mufti Shaban Mubajje of selling off Moslem property. This among others includes William Street property that was sold to a business tycoon Drake Lubega but has since been rescued by the president and returned to the Council.
Addressing the media at the UMSC headquarters on Wednesday 13, Ramadan Mugalu who dubs the Secretary-General noted that the issue of unity was not gazetted for only leaders and that it was an open and transparent process for those interested.
He noted that one being out of office does not take away his knowledge and experience about the Islamic matters.
” I can assure you that the majority of Ugandans have come aboard both off and on camera, lslam has always been left behind due to individualism and the huge number of Muslims in the informal sector,” Sheikh Mugalu said.
