Justice Kibeedi calls for unity among Muslims
By Abdul-Wahid Kakande
Supreme Court Judge Muzamir Kibeedi has called upon Muslims to embrace unity in diversity, emphasizing its growing importance in today’s world.
“When you are a minority, the importance of unity becomes higher. We may have differences in the viewpoint which is okay but we must embrace unity in diversity to achieve our aspirations,” Justice Kibeedi said.
Kibeedi made the call while presiding over the Muslim lawyers annual iftar dinner at Kabira Country Club on Thursday last week.
Justice Kibeedi commended the Muslim lawyers for organising the iftar dinner saying it is good for brothers to meet once in a while and share experience.
Rashid Ssemambo, President, the Uganda Muslim Lawyers Association (UMLAS), implored Muslims that have been appointed in the positions of responsibility to not only be exemplary but also put in extra effort to open doors for others.
“I urge all Muslims that have been appointed in the position of responsibility not to shame us. Please shun corruption, work hard and be steadfast in whatever you do, putting in mind that you are carrying our flag,” Ssemambo said.
Ssemambo also saluted President Yoweri Museveni over the increased appointment of Muslims in the judiciary and other government departments saying it has given them hope that marginalisation will soon become a thing of the past.
“As Muslim lawyers we are specifically grateful to the President over the increased appointment of Muslims in the judiciary. We now have a Muslim judge at the Supreme Court (Justice MuzamirKibeedi) and a Muslim Inspector General of Police among others which means our voices have been heard,” Ssemambo noted.
For the first time in the history of the Judiciary, there is at least a Muslim judge at the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, High Court with majority being at the Chief Magistrates Court level.
The 2024 national population census results indicated that Muslims constituted 13.2%, approximately 6 million, of the total population of about 45.9 million people.
Ssemambo also appealed to the Muslim fraternity to support each other instead of pulling themselves down.
“I know that we come from diverse backgrounds, we have differences in opinion whereby some of us support National Resistance Movement (NRM) and others the Opposition but as Muslims we are enjoined by the Quran to keep united and also support each other,” Ssemambo observed.
Because Muslims come from diverse backgrounds, Ssemambo said it is high time for them to embrace unity in diversity.
“If we find ourselves in contradiction, let us not insult each other but approach one another for consensus because erring is human,” Ssemambo said.
Siraj Katantazi Mukasa, the chief executive officer of the Muslim lawyers’ association said one of their missions is to foster Muslim unity in diversity.
