Over 400 Mosques in greater Masaka including those opposed to the leadership of sheikh Shaban Mubaje, the Mufti of Uganda have accepted to participate in today’s Muslim polls. Greater Masaka is comprised of Masaka, Sembabule, Lwengo, Kalungu, Rakai and Kalangala districts. Sulait Ssebowa, the Commissioner Uganda Muslim Supreme Council Interim Electoral Commission says that 90 percent of the Mosques in Masaka including those allied to the Kibuli faction have registered to participate in the Muslim election.
He says despite the fact that the Kibuli faction led by Zubair Kayongo, has been mobilizing its members to shun the election Muslim leaders in Masaka have ignored the directive. Kayongo and his followers have been traversing several parts of Central region to mobilize their followers not to participate in today’s elections until the UMSC constitution is amended.
But Hajj Sulait Ssebowa, the Commissioner Uganda Muslim Supreme Council in Charge of Masaka Region says about 200000 Muslims in the region have registered to cast their vote. He attributes the success in the registration exercise to intensive civic education that made the majority of the Muslims allied to Kibuli to see the truth and change their mind about the polls. Ssebowa, cites Muslims at Kyazaanga Mosque that has been strongly been opposed to sheikh Mubaje as some of those who have accepted to participate in the elections.
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Ssebowa also says a big number of Muslims from Masaka central Mosque which is opposed to Sheikh Mubaje have registered and have been relocated to village mosques where they will cast their ballots for fear of being attacked by their rivals.
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Hajj Jamil Kiyira, the secretary general Masaka Muslim District says that security has been tightened at various mosques to ensure smooth voting. Voting will start immediately after the Friday, prayers at various mosques in the country. Moses Musisi, a former member in the Kayongo camp is one of those who have registered. Musisi explains that he decided to denounce Kayongo’s faction after realizing that the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council is mandated to organize elections.
Meanwhile, Simon Peter Wafana, the Southern Region Police Commander says he has ordered all district police commanders in southern region to be alert to ensure peaceful Muslim elections.
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Sheikh Swaibu Ndugga, the rival Masaka district Kadhi has not yet commented on the registration of his supporters to take part in the elections.
