Museveni wins Masaka Kadhis support with cars

By Jafar Mugera

• President Yoweri Museveni has secured the endorsement of two rival Muslim factions in Masaka following the delivery of Toyota Hilux double-cabin trucks to the district’s Kibuli- and Old Kampala–aligned kadhis.

The brand-new vehicles were delivered separately to Sheikh Badrudeen Wasajja Kiruuta (Kibuli) and Sheikh Yasin Nseera (Old Kampala) by State House Comptroller Jane Barekye.

Sheikhs Wasajja and Nseera were unintended beneficiaries of the vehicles, as the individuals to whom President Museveni made the pledges in 2016 have since left office.

Sheikh Swaib Ndugga, who at the time served as the district kadhi under the Kibuli-based Office of the Supreme Mufti, died about four years ago. Meanwhile, Sheikh Bruhan Bagunduse, then the district kadhi for the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC), was dismissed from office and later defected to Kibuli.

Barekye first visited Masaka Main Mosque, where Sheikh Wasajja is based, and handed over the vehicle along with Shs 5 million for fuel. Wasajja was accompanied by his predecessor, Sheikh Sulait Ssentongo, Hajji Hamidu Ssenoga (chairman), and other mosque officials.

Chants of “Allahu Akbar,” “NRM oyee,” and “Museveni juu” filled the air as Barekye handed over the car keys.

“All praises are due to Allah—who am I to be remembered by Gen Museveni?” Wasajja said. He went on to praise Museveni and the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) before offering prayers for the party’s candidates in next year’s general elections.

YELLOW SOWETO

The UMSC team at their base in Soweto, near Masaka town, appeared to outdo their rivals in demonstrating loyalty to the NRM. By 2pm—the scheduled time for Barekye’s arrival—the entire area had turned yellow.

Most officials at the mosque were either dressed in yellow NRM paraphernalia or waving flyers bearing President Museveni’s re-election messages.

Upon receiving the car keys and the accompanying fuel package, Nseera assured Barekye of support for NRM candidates.

“Our structures run from the district down to the mosque Imam. On average, an Imam interacts with about 300 people five times a day, and our directive is that, in all circumstances, we must vote only for NRM candidates,” he said.

UMSC bans politicking in Mosques
Earlier in the year, the Mufti, Sheikh Shaban Ramathan Mubaje issued a stern directive banning all forms of political campaigning in mosque and other Islamic religious functions such as burial ceremonies.
Speaking on Saturday, May 10, during memorial prayers for the late Haj Edris Wetaka at Tawfiq Mosque in Kisenyi Cell, Buyonjo Road, Mbale City Northern Division, Sheikh Mubaje warned that the new Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) constitution, Muslim leaders are barred from engaging in partisan politics.
“The UMSC Constitution requires our leaders to remain nonpartisan; direct involvement in campaigns will breed conflict and divide the Muslim faithful. We will soon issue official circulars instructing all UMSC structures to stay away from political activities,” he said.
He further cautioned Kadhis, Sheikhs, and UMSC committee chairpersons not to serve as campaign agents for political parties or aspirants, emphasising that any Muslim cleric intending to run for public office must resign from their religious duties before the start of the campaign season.

Museveni courts Christian clergy
Barekye also visited Kimaanya Catholic church, where she delivered a coaster minibus for the church choir, and Kitovu cathedral, where she handed over another minibus donated to the Masaka diocesan youth chaplaincy.