KAMPALA-UGANDA/NEWSDAY: The Mufti of Uganda, Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje and the head of Bukoto Nateete have signed a cooperation agreement after years of rowing.
Sheikh Abdul Obeid Kamulegeya signed on behalf of his faction on Friday September 3rd 2021.
The three page, seven point agreement include among other issues the scrapping of other factions. The agreement is in line with a report made by Prof Tarsis Kabwegyere that called for Muslim unity.
“On Sept 3, 2021 all Muslims agreed to unite under one Leadership of UMSC. That UMSC is an umbrella body, which manages the affairs of all Muslims in Uganda provided other Organizations shall work under its guidance and consultation,” the Communique reads.
It adds that “Selected Muslim leaders and elders are to be constituted into a body called Majlis Al Shura to be provided for in the amended UMSC Constitution as a tribunal”.
“The resolution of Executive and Joint Session should seek to create the offices of deputies at all levels of the UMSC Structure so as the positions are shared by all Muslim leaders”, it reads.
The most critical issue of the Muslim property that led to the breakaway, with them Mubajje and cohorts accused of illegally selling them will now be managed differently.
” A Property Trust to manage all Muslim Properties in Uganda shall be constituted and provided for in the UMSC Constitution,” the agreement says.
“Additional Members to the Constitutional Review Committee shall be appointed and an official communication be made to that effect. All Muslims of goodwill are argued to send their proposals to the Constitutional Review Committee through the office of the Hon. Secretary-General,” the Communique reads.
Sheikh Kamulegeya’s team included Sheikh Hussein Rajab Kakooza, the former Chief Kadhi and Director of Sharia, Sheikh Yusuf Isah Byekwaso former UMSC Hon. Secretary General 1986- 1991 , Sheikh Muhammad Kamoga Principal Bilal Islamic Institute, , Sheikh Musa Ssebumba former Kadhi Mityana- Mubende inj 1980s, Haj Ssentongo Asadu, Haj Farook Kamulegeya, Hamza Sewankambo City Advocate and Sheikh Sufian Muguluma among others.
Mubajje was flanked by Sheikh Abdallah Ibrahim Ssemambo Tamusuza, the Deputy Mufti of Uganda, Sheikh Muhammad Ali Waiswa, the 2nd Deputy Mufti, Haj Muhmood Kateregga, Haj Abdu Nasser Magezi UMSC Members of the Executive Commitee, Sheikhs Anasi Ssesimba, Munir Ssebintu from Majis Ulama, Former UMSC Hon. Secretary Generals Dr. Haj Edris Sserugo Kasenene, Eng. Sheikh Siraj Zaid Kavuma, Sheikh Ibrahim Nkangi retired Kadhi West Buganda, and Members of UMSC management among others.
The UMSC Secretary-General Ramathan Mugalu noted that Ugandan Muslims have made a breakthrough and signed their self-sponsored unity, although the agreement will be sent to President Yoweri Museveni.
Mubajje after the ceremony said “I am so much delighted today for the unity drive we initiated five years ago between me and our elder Sheikh Kamulegeya before we disclosed it to our confidants.”
Mubajje said that he had never dreamt of the day when Ugandan Muslims without any external intervention or influence would agree to unite to find solutions towards overcoming the challenges facing their Community.
“Truly Friday, September 3rd, 2021 shall remain a historical moment in the Annals of Muslim history all times to come,” remarked Sheikh Mubaje. He said this amidst chants of God “Allah Akbar” God is the greatest from a sizeable number of guests in the Main Conference of UMSC Headquarters at Old Kampala.
He traced his journey into Muslim leadership, which started shortly after completing his Islamic Theological Studies in Saudi Arabia in 1986. Sheikh Mubaje noted that he was appointed Imam Masqid Noor Mbale and went on to become the Kadhi of Bugisu Muslim District where he served for 10 years before he was elected Mufti of Uganda.
Sheikh Mubaje revealed that since his childhood he has witnessed various wrangles within the Muslim Community, which prompted him to offer himself to serve under UMSC for Unity and development. He informed his audience that over the last 20yrs UMSC has registered some physical developments, which has been dogged by lack of unity because of various interests.
He explained he opted for round table talks and pursued other avenues to establish cooperation with other faith groups, which saw UMSC join the Inter-Religious Council of Uganda, African Religious Councils and World Council of Religions for Peace International.
Peace restored
Sheikh Kamulegeya described the event as great, saying Muslims have finally restored peace, unity and brotherhood. Sheikh Kamulegeya took his listeners through the memorable 85 years of his life journey that saw him witness sharp wrangles and infighting among Muslims when he was only 10 years in the mid-1940s.
He went to narrate moving accounts on the history in the Muslim Community in the 1950s – 1960s up to the time he and his contemporaries conceive the idea of establishing an all-embracing Organization- the National Association for the Advancement of Muslims in Uganda- NAAM before the formation of Uganda Muslim Supreme Council in 1972.
“We all agree that disunity has damaged our reputation and robbed us of all opportunities including lobbying national cake and political posts in the Government. So, I have resolved to come back for the sake of unity”. Said Sheikh Kamulegeya amidst chants of Allah is the Greatest. He noted that like other Muslim Countries individuals are free to form private associations under the official Muslim leadership in our case UMSC.
Kabwegyere report
Prof Tarsis Kabwegyere, the minister for General Duties in the Office of the Prime Minister, in 2014, headed a committee that came out with a report suggesting that government would not pay a fortune in compensation for Muslim properties misappropriated by UMSC leaders.
The 60-page report, was presented to President Museveni on June 14 2014 at State House Entebbe. It faulted Mufti Sheikh Mubajje, former UMSC chairman Hajji Muhammad Ali Adrama, vice chairman Hajji Hassan Basajjabalaba, and secretary general Dr Edris Sserugo Kasenene in the mismanagement of Muslim properties.
In general the report saif Muslim wrangles were by “commissions, omissions and careless designs” of Mufti Shaban Mubajje’s Uganda Muslim Supreme Council but it called for unity among factions
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