The committee appointed by President Yoweri Museveni to investigate the cause of Muslim wrangles has embarked on its work. Committee chairperson, Professor Tarsis Kabwegere says that the main task of his committee is to establish the causes of Muslim wrangles and possible solutions. President Museveni appointed the committee after carrying out meetings with both the UMSC leadership led by Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubajje, the Mufti of Uganda and the Kibuli led faction by Supreme Mufti sheikh Zubairi Kayongo in his rural home in Mbarara.
The Kibuli faction is represented by Hassan Kirya, Haji Muhammad Kisambira and Faisal Mukasa. Uganda Muslim Supreme Council is represented by Dr Idris Kasenene, the former UMSC secretary general, Hajji Suleiman Musana and Sheikh Anas Ssesimba, the head of Muslim functions and ceremonies.
The government representatives include Committee chairperson, Professor Tarsis Kabwegere, Isaac Musumba, the former minister for regional cooperation and Makerere University Political science Associate professor Yasin Olum. Professor Tarsis Kabwegere acknowledges the huge task his committee is faced with.
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Kabwegere today revealed that they have set up an office at Hotel Africana where discussions are to be held and an office on diamond trust building 6ht floor. The offices shall from now until the end of the three month period receive documented information and relevant facts from the public.
The committee chairman says discussions on terms of reference and rules of procedure have also been completed. Kabwegere says that in due time they shall contact the warring parties on when to be consulted and when they can consult the committee. He notes that the ongoing quarrels have undermined progress in the talks.
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He reiterated the warning by President Museveni while meeting the warring parties in Rwakitura not exaggerate the matter saying it is already complicated. Both the Muslims had previously said they do not want President Museveni to mediate the talks. Kabwegere says the President cannot avoid getting involved in the matter.
He adds that government is using this case as a study to see how far it can be involved in certain wrangles. The Muslim leadership in Uganda has been dominated by power struggles majorly between members allied to Kibuli and UMSC administration. The current Muslim wrangles stemmed from allegations that the Mubajje led administration illegally disposed of Muslim properties.
