Muslims factions in Masaka have rejected a proposal by the Inter-Religious Council of Uganda-IRCU to reconcile sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubajje, the Mufti of Uganda and the Kibuli faction led by Sheikh Zubair Kayongo. Trouble between the Muslims started after a section of the Muslim community accused Mubajje of his involvement in disposing Muslim property without authorization.
The property in question was leased to city businessman Hassan Basajjabalaba. The disgruntled members dragged the Mufti to court alongside Edrisa Kasenene, the former secretary general Uganda Muslim Supreme Council–UMSC and former Chairman Hassan Basajjabalaba. However, the court ruled in favors of the Mufti, but the petitioner denounced him and appointed Kayongo as their leader.
This week, the Inter-Religious Council of Uganda-IRCU set up a committee of independent religious leaders to mediate the conflicts between sheikh Mubajje and Kayongo. Joshua Kitakule, the secretary Inter Religious Council of Uganda-IRCU says they decided to move in under the peace, justice and good governance committee to reconcile the two factions to restore harmony. Kitakule explains that currently the Kayongo led faction is not recognized under the structures of the IRCU.
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However, Muslims leaders in Masaka have rejected the proposal by IRCU to reconcile Muslim leaders saying it is a futile attempt. Sheikh Swaibu Nduga, and Sheikh Ismail Musisi, both allied to the Kibuli faction say they will participate in the reconciliation talks. They argue that they cannot reconcile with Mubajje because he lost the moral authority when he stood in the dock for alleged theft of Muslim property.
Musisi says that they will only consider the reconciliation talks once sheikh Mubajje relinquishes power and hands over all Muslim properties. Sheikh Wasswa Ssemakadde and Huzairi Kiruuta, the Kadhi Bukomansimbi and Masaka districts say they cannot engage in talks with members of the Kibuli faction because all previous attempts have not yielded results. Sheikh Ssemakadde says that he invited members of the Kibuli faction to attend his installation but they instead threatened to come and disrupt the function.
Sheikh Kiruuta, the Kadhi Masaka Muslim District says the Kibuli faction is made of hooligans. He accuses the Kibuli faction of blocking him from accessing Masaka central Mosque in defiance of a court order. It is not clear how the IRCU will proceed since both factions are not ready for the reconciliation talks.
