Muslim Members of Parliament are petitioning the Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga over what they call discrimination against Muslims in the presidential appointments in public offices.
The legislators led by Latif Ssebagala, the Kawempe North MP, are unhappy with the continued discrimination by the president against Muslims, who he says are well educated and capable of holding such offices.
The most recent appointments were the board members of the Citizens and Immigration Board. In a letter dated June 15 addressed to Parliament, President Yoweri Museveni forwarded six names for approval. The names included former MPs Beatrice Byenkya Nyakaisiki for Hoima, John Eresu Elyanu for Kaberamaido and former Kitgum Woman MP Jane Akwero Odwong. Others are Patrick Ambako Kibrai, Elizabeth Nabakka Musaazi and Agatha Arembe Namirembe.
The MPs want the approval process halted due to discrimination and marginalization of Muslims as there is no single Muslim out of the six names forwarded to parliament.
Ssebagala, who is also the Parliamentary Imam, says the recent appointment by the president is a continuation of the historical injustice and marginalization meted on Muslims which the 1995 constitution had cured. Article 32(1) of the constitution mandates and obligates the state to eliminate any form of discrimination against individuals or groups on grounds of sex, age, religion and ethnic background.
According to the 2002 population and housing and census, the Catholics account for 42 percent of the total population followed by the Anglicans with 37 percent. The Muslims came third with 12 percent.
In other government positions like the chief administrative officers, there are 9 Muslims out of the 112 districts. Asuman Lukwago is the only Muslim Permanent Secretary in the 21 government ministries. Six out of the 75 ministers are Muslims.
