The wrangle pits a group of Muslims allied to the Kibuli-based faction and those allied to the mainstream Old Kampala based Uganda Muslim Supreme Council-UMSC leadership under Sheikh Shaban Mubaje, the Mufti of Uganda.
The leaders of
Masaka Main Mosque are expected to appear before the District Police Commander,
Didas Byaruhanga later today over renewed clashes at the mosque. This follows
bitter clashes at the mosque between rival clashes over the leadership of
Masaka central mosque, which is found in Masaka City.
The latest
dispute arises from the appointment of Sheikh Abasa Nseera as the Imam of the
main mosque to replace Sheikh Jamir Mbuga Kabangala who died last year. According
to sources, the dispute climaxed last week after unknown people sent
threatening messages to Sheikh Nseera giving him a week’s ultimatum to
relinquish his new position or face their wrath, which includes death.
The wrangle
pits a group of Muslims allied to the Kibuli-based faction and those aligned to
the mainstream Old Kampala based Uganda Muslim Supreme Council-UMSC leadership under
Sheikh Shaban Mubaje, the Mufti of Uganda.
On Tuesday evening, the mosque degenerated
in chaos after a group of Muslims descended on Sheikh Yasin Kakomo, one of
those opposed to the Old Kampala leadership and beat him up accusing him of
fueling wrangles to achieve his selfish interests.
The angry
Muslims comprising women also attacked Sheikh Ahmed Kayemba, the Secretary of
Masaka Muslim District Council, Hajj Musa Bisegerwa, Twaibu Kaweesi and
Abdallah Nasuiruh accusing them of being behind the threats against their newly
appointed Imam and fueling confusion because of their self-interests. The
targeted leaders ran for their lives and barricaded themselves in one of the
offices and called for police rescue.
//Cue in: (Luganda) “kitange ddala
ddala….
Cue out; ….ffe abasiramu.”//
Sheikh Abas
Nseera told Uganda Radio Network that a clique of selfish leaders are opposed
to his appointment and have been sending him life-threatening messages, which
prompted him to open up to Muslims on the threats. He also accuses his
detractors of conniving to sell off some Muslim properties in their custody and
failure to account for the proceeds.
//Cue in: “ensonga y’akutiisibwa
tisiibwa….
Cue out; …..sibwakulyamu buli.”//
Sheikh Yasiin Kakomo, one of those accused of fueling the controversy has
described the accusations as blackmail by people he says don’t wish them
well. He, however, says that the confusion will not deter him from
performing his roles as a leader nor chase him away from the mosque.
//Cue in: “nze nabadde ntaasa….
Cue out; ….bwebatyo bwe bakyagadde.”//
Didas Byaruhanga, the Masaka District Police Commander, says that he has
summoned the warring parties for dialogue before the dispute escalates to
unmanageable levels. Physical fights are not new at Masaka main mosque. They
often occur whenever controversies emerge over property management, leadership
and sharing of money among other causes.
