Nakibinge, Kamoga seek Museveni’s clemency for detainees

By Sarah Nalule

Prince Kassim Nakibinge and Sheikh Muhammad Yunus Kamoga have separately appealed to President Yoweri Museveni to grant clemency to Ugandans imprisoned on what they described as politically motivated charges, using two high-profile platforms to press their case.

Nakibinge made his appeal during the annual Iftar dinner at Parliament, hosted

by Speaker Anita Annet Among, while Kamoga delivered his appeal directly to Museveni at the launch of Tamini General Insurance, Uganda’s first Sharia- compliant insurance company.

At Parliament, where Prince Kassim Nakibinge was the guest of honour, he urged the government to embrace the spirit of Ramadhan by promoting justice, reconciliation and the release of political detainees.

“The theme tonight is about reconciliation. One of the reasons I honoured this invitation was that I wanted to speak to the powers that be,” Nakibinge said. “I thought that perhaps when we speak elsewhere, some people are not listening, but when I come here, everyone will be listening — those who make the laws. I am simply saying: let us leave the past behind and look to the future,” he added.

He said, having been among opinion leaders who consistently urged the public to ensure a peaceful election, discouraging civil disobedience and encouraging voters to act within the law while exercising their democratic rights, it is also important for him to condemn incidents of violence witnessed in different parts of the country.

He urged Parliament’s leadership to use their influence to secure the freedom of detainees — particularly those who have been incarcerated for two to five years without being formally charged before courts of law.

“I am talking about people who have spent five years in detention without ever being taken to court. Even where they have appeared before court, there has been no progress and no evidence shared with the defence team. Those are the political detainees I am referring to,” Nakibinge said.
“We are all Ugandans and there is

enough for all of us. Let us not turn politics or elections into a do-or-die affair. In a democracy, there will always be divergence of opinion. Someone who holds a different view should not be ostracised or harassed — that is their right,” he added.

He appealed to leaders across the political divide to use the holy month of Ramadhan to embrace dialogue and compassion.

“Fasting is prescribed so that we may attain Taqwa — the fear of Allah — and if we truly fear Allah, then we must uphold justice. We must seek reconciliation. This holy month offers an opportunity to reflect and consider the release of those detained on political grounds, where possible, in the spirit of unity and nation- building,” he said, as ministers, Members of Parliament, diplomats and clerics — including the Supreme Mufti, Sheikh Muhammad Shaban Galabuzi — listened attentively.

He also commended Parliament for passing Muslim-focused laws that have facilitated the integration of Islamic principles into the financial community.

Speaker Anita Annet Among described the dinner as historic, noting that it ushered in a transition from the 11th to the 12th Parliament.

The Speaker also praised the parliamentary Muslim caucus for its contribution to national debates and reaffirmed Parliament’s commitment to safeguarding religious freedoms and strengthening cooperation with faith- based leaders.

Chairperson of the parliamentary Muslim caucus, Asuman Basalirwa, commended Parliament’s leadership for supporting Muslim causes, including the expansion of prayer facilities and institutional support for Islamic banking.

Meanwhile, at Millenium gardens, Lugogo, Sheikh Kamoga also appealed to Museveni to exercise clemency in a spirit of reconciliation and compassion this Ramadhan, and free some of the jailed Muslic clerics.

“Your Excellency, you have always pardoned those who have erred and I am one of the beneficiaries of your presidential pardon. We humbly request you to extend that pardon to Sheikh Yahaya Mwanje and Sheikh Marijan [Habiib],” he said.

The two clerics, leaders in the Jamu- iyyat Tabligh Da-awah As-salafiyya, are facing charges related to terrorism