MUSLIM HATE IN UGANDA
Museveni warns Muslims on violence
By MONITOR TEAM
Posted Saturday, April 28 2012
President Museveni yesterday warn Muslims against violence and
preaching hatred just over 24 hours after several Muslim youth had been
engaged by anti-riot police in the city.
Speaking specifically to the Kibuli mosque-based faction allied to Mufti Zubair Kayongo, Museveni warned those who wanted to disrupt Muslim elections that was slated for Friday, to stay away from the exercise if they did not want them.
“There is nowhere in the law where we can stop them from holding elections. To stop them is impossible and we would create more problems. Let those who want to elect go ahead. I urge you, especially Sheik Nuhu Muzaata not to threaten people but to stick to issues,” he said at State House on Friday while meeting a delegation of about 20 Muslim leaders including Mufti Kayongo.
Museveni’s meeting came hot on the heels of Thursday street battles between anti-riot police and Muslim youths from the Kibuli-based faction that matched through Kampala streets intending to ‘overthrow’ Mufti Mubajje at Gaddafi National Mosque, the seat of the Islamic faith in the country.
The
youth are protesting the countrywide election, to choose
representatives to the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council general assembly.
It however went on amid fear of violence.
At Gaddafi National Mosque, which is the official seat of the Islamic
faith, a small fraction of voters turned out to vote. Out of 250
registered voters at the mosque, less than 60 were present. Mr Nasser
Magezi, 28 sailed through unopposed to represent Gaddafi mosque at the
county level.
“That is a waste of time. I vote and get what?,” said Mr Musa Dhikusoka after attending prayers at Masjid Taqwa in Jinja Town where Hussein Juma and Said Saleh Kabalagala were elected to represent the mosque. The turn-out countrywide was reportedly low as many voters stayed away fearing violence.
On Thursday, while preaching to faithful at the Kibuli mosque, Hajj Muhammad Kisambira, the secretary general for the Kibuli-based faction, accused Museveni of colluding with Mufti Shaban Mubajje to disorganise the Muslim community in the country.
“It is said Idi Amin was a murderer but he managed to streamline Muslims. Mr. Obote also had his weaknesses but he did not suppress Muslims the way Mr Museveni has done in his last 26-year-old regime. We are calling on all Muslims in Uganda who care about their religion to redeem it. We are warning Museveni government that should these elections goes on as planned, that will be the spark for his downfall,” he warned.
A reconciliatory Museveni fired back cautioning religious leaders who use their pulpits to intimidate and bark at political leaders in public.
“Why this approach when you can solve issues amicably. Like Archbishop Lwanga going to Church and telling us how to run a country, what would happen if I did the same,” he said.
He also said the government is still investigating the death of Sheikh Abdukarim Sentamu who was shot dead in Kampala last week hinting that investigations so far show that the late was in touch with Jamil Mukulu on phone. Mukulu is currently in the DRC, according the President. Another meeting between Museveni and the Muslim leaders is scheduled for May 4.
Muslims Threaten War Over
Domestic Bill
The Monitor (Kampala)
NEWS
May 6, 2005
Posted to the web May 5, 2005
By Mercy Nalugo
Kampala
Muslims have threatened a jihad (religious war) if Parliament passes the Domestic Relations Bill (DRB) in its current form.
The Muslims are opposed to a clause in the Bill, which requires a man to seek consent of his first wife before marrying a second one.
The Vice Chairman of the Uganda Muslim Youth Assembly (UMWV), Imam Idd Kasozi, flanked by the UMWV Director, Hajji Abbas Kiyimba, said nobody should provoke Muslims because they would fight back (Muslims will fight against being decent human beings).
"We are issuing a warning that if some members keep on pushing Muslims to the wall, they would rebound and we do not want this to happen. But we have to fight for the Muslim principles," Kiyimba said.
He was presenting a paper on the Domestic Relations Bill in a one-day workshop organised by the Uganda Network on Law, Ethics and HIV/Aids (Uganet) and the Uganda Muslim Women Vision at Tal Cottages in Lubaga, Kampala. "Our answer to the DRB is that it should be amended to accommodate our concerns. We are prepared to fight this battle till the end," Kiyimba said. Kasozi said the fight against the DRB could take the highest level, which is a jihad.
The remarks come a day after the pro-DRB advocates marched through the city streets demonstrating against President Yoweri Museveni's recent directive that the debate on the Bill be suspended until all stakeholders are consulted.
In March Muslims demonstrated against the DRB especially the clause that requires a man to obtain consent from his first wife before marrying another and another provision for scrapping of matrimonial gifts (bride-price).
Former Attorney General Mr Abu Mayanja concurred with Kiyimba. "Let Muslims be governed by Muslim (oppressive) laws, Christians by their laws and other religious beliefs," Mayanja said.
Copyright © 2005 The Monitor. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com).