Mubaje condemns Pastor Sserwada’s call for faith-based voting ahead
By Ahmed Idriss
Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje, the Mufti of Uganda, has responded to a recent declaration by Apostle Dr. Joseph Sserwadda, head of Victory Church at Ndeeba in Kampala, that the next general election is about religion. The Mufti’s comments follow a viral TikTok video in which Dr. Sserwadda urges Christians to elect candidates of their own denominations.
“I will say this because I will not get time to say it… The vote this time is based on religion. Our colleagues were the first to declare that they will support their own,” Dr. Sserwadda said, as the congregation chanted in agreement.
He added, “We shall also see where we don’t have a candidate, you can vote for a person of your choice, but where there is a born-again candidate, don’t vote for another person, even if it means wasting the vote.” Dr. Sserwadda explained that Christians have supported others who have not prioritised their interests for a long time. “Today, let’s support our own, even when we reach a point of determining between the cross and crescent,” he said.
Addressing Muslims at the National Mosque after the Friday congregational prayers, Sheikh Mubaje described Dr. Sserwadda’s statement as reckless, noting that it undermines the spirit of the Interreligious Council of Uganda (IRCU).
“I saw one of the pastors saying the vote this time is based on religion. Where you see a cross and a crescent, look for the cross. This was irresponsible, especially when the speaker is a member of the Council of Presidents at IRCU,” he said.
He added that such statements contradict the president’s stance against identity politics. “The president of this country says the politics of identity no longer works. I also don’t support such politics,” Sheikh Mubaje said.
He further emphasized that Muslims should not vote solely based on religion.
“I cannot ask Muslims to support only Muslim candidates because even President Museveni is not a Muslim, yet we recognize what he has done for Muslims,” he said.
Sheikh Mubaje urged voters to prioritize candidates who can deliver on their promises. “We shall task all candidates to present their programs so that people vote for them. We can’t just vote for people because of faith, even when they cannot deliver,” he concluded.
