Muslims want government recognition for Nuhu Mbogo day
Since 2014, Muslims have been converging at Kibuli mosque at an annual event to commemorate Prince Nuhu Mbogo’s return from exile. Ten years on, the Kibuli-based Muslim leadership feels, it is time the government recognised the day.
The Supreme Mufti, Sheikh Muhammad Shaban Galabuzi told a large gathering of Muslims at Kibuli mosque on Sunday that given Mbogo’s contribution to the growth of Islam and the country at large, the government should gazette the Nuhu Mbogo day as a public holiday.
Sheikh Galabuzi took advantage of the presence of members of Parliament (MPs) at the function to launch calls for a dedicated public holiday.
“You ought to take this issue to Parliament, just like we commemorate Archbishop Janan Luwum day, Prince Mbogo’s contribution also needs to be recognised,” Galabuzi said.
Janan Luwum served as Archbishop of the Church of Uganda from 1974 until his mysterious death in 1977. The government dedicated February 16 every year for his remembrance.
Mbogo on the other hand was leader of Muslims at the time British imperialists imposed colonial rule over Uganda in 1880s.
Given his growing influence, the British imperialists led by Capt Fredrick Lugard, exiled him to Zanzibar in 1893 as they sought to stump Islam out of Buganda.
The imperialists were two years later, in 1895, forced to allow Mbogo back to Buganda and assume his role as leader of Muslims.
From Zanzibar, Mbogo came with learned Muslims to teach Islam in Buganda as well as other parts of the country.
His privileged position as a member of Buganda Kingdom’s royal family allowed him to influence a number of policies that would have a lasting impact on the growth of Muslims and Islam in Uganda.
“Those critical of this function should not forget that some of the rights they are enjoying as Muslims in this country are because of the sacrifices of Prince Nuhu Mbogo,” Sheikh Muhammad Yusuf Balinda, the Lango district kadhi said.
Bugiri Municipality MP, Asuman Basalirwa who is also the chairperson of the Muslim parliamentary caucus, hailed Prince Kassim Nakibinge Kakungulu for furthering the legacy of his grandfather, Prince Mbogo.
“I am a beneficiary of Prince Mbogo’s magnanimity. When I finished my Law degree at Makerere University, I had no resources to take me to Law Development Centre [LDC] for a diploma in Legal Practice. When I walked into Prince Nakibinge’s office at Bank of Uganda, he didn’t know me but accepted to meet all the costs for my studies at LDC,” Basalirwa said.
“You did that out of your love for Islam and Muslims. That’s why I get offended when I hear anyone trading accusations of tribalism against you because when you chose to pay for my studies at LDC, I was not a Muganda but a Musoga from a non-promiment family,” he added.
