This is a tribute to Sheikh Nooh Muzaata by Rev. Canon Kasibante.

This is a tribute to Sheikh Nooh Muzaata by  Rev. Canon Kasibante.

(STILL) REFLECTING ON SHEIKH NUHU MUZAATA BATTE.

No, there will never be another Muzaata. Not only because each human being is unique and irreplaceable, but because Sheikh Muzaata was one of a kind. He was in his own league. Islam in Uganda had not seen a Sheikh of that calibre, not in terms of Islamic scholarship – there have been others with PhDs – but in his boldness, conviction and outspokenness.

Muzaata was ecumenical

Even if you were Muslim, you did not have to agree with everything the Sheikh said, but you could not deny that he said many things which it took only a man of this clarity of vision and purpose could say. I took some trouble to listen to/watch as many of his speeches as I could find time for. He sometimes proved some expectations wrong.

Take, for instance, his ecumenicity. You would think that an abrasive Sheikh that Muzaata was, he would have little to appreciate about Christianity and Christian leaders. And yet he had the greatest respect for Catholic bishops and priests. I had him rebuke Muslims who had no respect for Catholic clergy. I wonder whether the Catholic (or Christian) leaders reciprocated. Sheikh Muzaata probably did not sit on the Inter-Religious Council of Uganda and yet he was ecumenical. But probably he would have been too abrasive for a Council whose voice is muted.

On morality

In terms of morality – while the Sheikh had a lot to see about marriage and in this case was just like the Christian leaders, he re-defined the area of morality. While Christian, especially Anglican and Pentecostal, bishops, clergy and pastors were fixed on sexual morality and on homosexuality in particular, Sheikh Muzaata instead was concerned about public morality and the use or abuse of power within the Muslim community (the Umma), public life and politics.

Rupture between politics and religion

Christian leaders are often lectured by the state to keep religion out of politics or to remain within their own competence and not muddle in politics. They have been warned to respect division of labour between political leaders and religious leaders, and often the Christian leaders have succumbed to such admonitions. It could not work with Sheikh Muzaata. His religion extended into his politics and, in any case, Islam does not establish a dichotomy between religion and politics. That is not to say that Sheikh Muzaata wanted to see Ugandan society Islamised or subjected to Sharia. He was more realistic than that. Nevertheless he knew that you cannot put a wedge between religion and politics or confine morality to the private life.

Sheikh Muzaata demonstrated that we do not have to keep our religion and our politics in different compartments. Religion influences life and vice versa. I have noted that although Muzaata was a staunch Muslim he was not advocating for Sharia Law to be applied indiscriminately or generally in Uganda. In that sense, he was not an Islamist. Nevertheless, he carried his religion with him and it was a strong motivation in his relationships and actions and it informed his public life. Christians could learn a lesson from this.

Muzaata’s audience

You did not have to be a Muslim to listen to Sheikh Muzaata. That he was a controversial cleric, there is no doubt. But his public utterances were serious or appealing enough to draw the attention Ugandans of different stripes. That was quite an achievement. Many would not understand the Arabic/Koranic quotations with which he spiced his speeches, but it did not really matter. He still made himself clear.

Humility and willingness to heal divisions

You might say that Sheikh Muzaata and humility could not be spoken of in the same sentence. And yet, Muzaata was a humble man. If he got things wrong, he was willing to seek amends for his mistake.

On Amin

Unless, I did not see correctly, but Sheikh Muzaata’s face bore a slight resemblance to that of Idi Amin, but that’s where the resemblance ends. For a Muslim who was in his teens when Amin was in power, Muzaata learnt a lot from the regime of Amin and its failures and he kept warning the politicians and those in the security forces that killing and mistreating wananchi was suicidal.

Not mentioned here

Not gone into here is the making of Sheikh Muzaata Batte. What goes into the making of such a man? What were the formative forces in his life? What made him the kind of irrepressible person that he was? How did Islam influence his character, his convictions?

Resolution Adopted by The Virtual Open-Ended Extraordinary Meeting of The OIC Executive Committee at The Level of Foreign Ministers to Discuss The Aggression by Israel, The Occupying Power, in The Palestinian Territories, in Particular, Al-Quds Al-Shareef (East Jerusalem)

Date: Sunday 16 May 2021, 4 Shawwal 1442AH

The virtual open-ended extraordinary meeting of the OIC Executive Committee at the level of foreign minister held on Sunday 4 Shawwal 1442AH, corresponding to 16th May 2021, upon the request of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Chair of the Islamic Summit, to discuss the aggression by Israel, the occupying Power in the Palestinian territories, particularly, Al-Quds Al-Shareef.

Proceeding from the principles and objectives of the charter of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation,

Pursuant to the resolutions adopted by the ordinary and extraordinary sessions of the Islamic Summit and the Council of Foreign Ministers,

Recalling all relevant United Nations resolutions, including resolutions No. 242 (1967); 252 (1968); 338 (1973); 465, 476, 478 (1980); 1073 (1996), and 2334 (2016), and the conferences of the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention (1949) and its additional protocols, on applicability of the provisions of the Convention to the land of the State of Palestine and the protection of civilians in times of war,

Driven by the historical, moral and legal responsibility of the Islamic ummah towards the cause of Palestine and Al-Quds Al-Shareef,

Having reviewed the latest developments in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, including East Jerusalem, in particular the escalating aggression by the occupation forces and the extremist Israeli settlers in the Al-Aqsa Mosque/Al-Haram Al-Shareef, the forced eviction of Palestinian families from their homes in East Jerusalem, the killing and maiming of civilians, the growing barbaric attack on the Gaza Strip, giving free rein to all means of lethal military aggression against defenceless Palestinian civilians, which has killed and injured hundreds and caused widespread destruction of civilian properties and extensive suffering, constituting direct threat to international peace and security,

Condemns in the strongest terms the barbaric attacks launched by Israel, the occupying authority, against the Palestinian people and their land and holy sites; demands complete and immediate stop of these attacks that have affected innocent civilians and their properties, in gross violation of international law and United Nations resolutions on the question of Palestine; and warns that the continuation of and incitement to these attacks and provocations, the threat on the lives of innocent civilians, causing severe suffering to them increase the risks of instability, with serious implications for security in and outside of the region;

Warns, in particular, against the dangerous effects of Israel’s continued and deliberate inflammation and provocation of the religious sensibilities and feelings of the Palestinian people and the entire Islamic ummah with its heightened attacks on worshippers, especially starting from the beginning of Ramadan, blocking worshippers’ access to the holy sites to perform their religious rites, including Muslims’ access to the Al-Aqsa Mosque and Christians’ access to the Church of Holy Sepulchre during the Easter celebrations, violent storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque/Al-Haram Al-Shareef by the occupation forces, terrorising and attacking peaceful worshippers, in flagrant violation of international humanitarian law;

Demands a stop to all violations being carried out by Israel, the occupying authority, including disrespect for the holy sites, in particular, the sacredness of the Al-Aqsa Mosque/Al-Haram Al-Shareef, and not to undermine their historical and legal status; reiterates that Israel is an occupation force and does not possess any legitimate right whatsoever on occupied Palestinian land, including East Jerusalem and the Al-Aqsa Mosque/Al-Haram Al-Shareef, and that all measures undermining its status are null and void and of no legal effect;

Reaffirms the importance of the historical Hashemite custodianship of the Islamic and Christian holy sites in Al-Quds and its role in preserving them and the existing legal and historical status there, and in preserving the Arab, Islamic and Christian identity of the sanctuaries; and affirms that the Hashemite management of Al-Quds and Al-Aqsa Mosque waqfs is the only body authorized to manage all affairs of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Al-Quds Haram Al-Shareef;

Reiterates its rejection and condemnation of the ongoing Israeli settlement colonisation of occupied Palestinian land, including East Jerusalem and the establishment of racial segregation system there, in particular through the building of settlements, destruction of Palestinian properties and building of an expansion wall, confiscation of lands, homes and properties, forceful expulsion and eviction of Palestinians from their homes and land; and affirms that all these acts constitute gross violation of international law, attaining the level of war crimes and crimes against humanity for which the occupation must be held accountable and the colonial system boycotted and sanctioned;

Expresses particular concern at the rapid pace of the Israeli policy of colonisation of Palestinian lands, especially the threat to forcefully evict hundreds of Palestinian families from their homes in the occupied East Jerusalem, including families in Sheikh Jarrah and Silwan neighbourhoods which face imminent evictions from extremist colonialist groups with the support and backing of the Israeli occupation authorities, in cooperation with the racial courts; demands immediate cessation of those illegal policies and practices that are at variance with the occupation’s obligations under the United Nations Charter, the Fourth Geneva Convention, international human rights law and United Nations resolutions, including Security Council resolution 2334 (2016); and calls for these illegal measures to be challenged at all levels and for urgent international measures to be taken to confront them;

Holds Israel, the occupying authority, fully responsible for the deterioration of the situation caused by its systematic crimes against the Palestinian people across the entire Occupied Palestinian Territory, in particular, the extensive barbaric military attack on the besieged Gaza Strip, with rising number of victims and large scale destruction of properties and basic infrastructure; calls for the importance of protecting medical and first-aid crews and of allowing them to do their work without hindrance, in line with the provisions of international law in this regard; and stresses the need to provide international protection for the Palestinian people, in conformity with international humanitarian law standards as has been repeatedly advocated by the United Nations General Assembly, including in resolution ES-10/20 of 13 June 2018 and in line with the Final Communique of the 7th Extraordinary Islamic Summit, by dispatching an international protection force to save innocent lives from ongoing attacks and terrorism by the occupation forces and the extremist colonialist militias;

Underscores the responsibility of the Security Council to act swiftly to end the Israeli occupation’s barbaric attacks on the Palestinian people, in line with its Charter mandate to preserve international peace and security; expresses its denouncement of the Security Council’s inertia in dealing with the Palestinian question, the oldest on its agenda; and invites it to assume its responsibility towards the Palestinian people and to respond to the calls of states and peoples around the world to rise to its responsibilities to stop these violations, save innocent lives, act without delay to stop the deterioration on the ground and the ongoing Israeli aggression on the Palestinian people, implement its own resolutions and ensure that they are fully respected, being the foundation and key to a just and lasting solution supported by the prevailing international consensus;

Reiterates that failure of the Security Council to assume its responsibility to deal with this crisis will necessitate approaching the United Nations General Assembly to assume its responsibility, including resumption of the proceedings of the Tenth Emergency Special Session to stop Israeli aggression in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including Al-Quds Al-Shareef, to ensure provision of international protection for the Palestinian people, to take measures to hold Israel, the occupying power, accountable for its crimes and gross violations of the rules of international law and human rights, and to blockade its colonial system;

Calls upon the international community as a whole, including the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention, to abide by its collective commitments and take measures and steps to compel Israel, the occupying authority, to fulfil its obligation as occupying authority, including ensuring protection for the Palestinian population; and affirms that the time has come to take serious measures to hold Israel accountable for its gross violations and to stop exempting it from the same rule that are binding on the rest of the world;

Reiterates its readiness for engagement in all efforts to support the just Palestinian cause and guarantee the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, including their right to self-determination and subsequent just and comprehensive solution on the basis of the two-state solution, in accordance with the internationally agreed principles on the basis of relevant United Nations resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative leading to the establishment of the independent State of Palestine with Al-Quds Al-Shareef as its capital, and to continue to work with the international community to achieve that end;

Notes that the extensive Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people coincides with the 73rd anniversary of the catastrophe, the 1948 tragedy during which widespread ethnic cleansing operation was conducted leading to the forceful removal of 800,000 from their homes and land, after the barbaric massacre carried out in more than 400 Palestinian towns and images by Zionist terrorist groups in Palestine; recalls the historical responsibility of the British mandate authority for the catastrophe and the permanent responsibility of the United Nations for the Palestinian question until all its aspects are resolved; and reiterates on this painful anniversary the right of the Palestinians to return as a fundamental collective and individual right, in conformity with international law and United Nations resolutions, in particular resolution 194 (III), which cannot be diminished with the passage of time, and that respecting it is essential for a just and lasting solution;

Reiterates that Al-Quds Al-Shareef and the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque, Islam’s first qibla and third holiest sanctuary, is a red line for the Islamic ummah, that only with its full liberation from occupation and its return to the Palestinian people and the Islamic ummah will there be security and stability; invites Member States to make concerted and individual efforts, to rally round and defend Al-Quds and its holy sites, face up to Israel’s crimes, provide the Palestinian people with support and the wherewithal for steadfastness to confront the Israeli barbaric attacks; and requests them to respect the OIC resolutions on the Palestinian cause and work to implement them as the central issue of the Islamic ummah and the raison d’etre of the OIC;

Appreciates the role played by the Chair of the Al-Quds Committee in protecting the sanctuaries in Al-Quds Al-Shareef and standing up to the measures taken by the Israeli occupation authorities to Judaize the holy city;

Salutes the steadfastness of the Palestinian people on their land and for their historic stand in the face of aggression and occupation, and epic defence of their legitimate rights, standing up to the obliteration, eviction and revocation attempts by the Israeli racist, colonial regime; and reiterates its support and backing for the Palestinian leadership;

Invites Member States to provide all forms of support and backing for the Palestinian people to strengthen their resilience on their land and to stress the importance of activating the financial safety network, in accordance with the resolution of the 14th Islamic Summit, particularly for the reconstruction of destroyed infrastructure, properties and homes sheltering hundreds of Palestinian families who have been rendered homeless because of the heavy destruction carried out by the Israeli occupation forces;

Calls for international legal action through specialized international courts and various United Nations agencies to compel Israel, the occupying power, to pay the necessary material and moral reparations for the damages done to the Palestinian infrastructure as well as public and private properties;

Decides to move urgently and carry out the necessary contacts to implement this resolution and convey its contents to all relevant bodies, to mandate the Secretary General to contact the President of the European Commission, the United Nations Secretary General, the High Commissioner for Human Rights and other representatives of relevant international organizations and groups to convey the contents of this resolution, and to invite the councils of ambassadors of the OIC group in countries of the world and at international organizations to act urgently to convey the contents of this resolution to the states and organizations of their accreditation.

1979:Sheikh Kassimu Mulumba Makes His Maiden Statement

Kassimu Mulumba

Sheikh Kassimu Mulumba took over office as the Chief Kadhi of Uganda ( Mufti)  shortly after his return from Kenya’s Capital Nairobi at a function at the Aga Khan Mosque overlooking the new taxi park along Namirembe road, which then served as the UMSC Headquarters.

Speaking during his first public appearance at Juma prayers at Wandegeya Mosque, Sheikh Mulumba challenged those who were talking about the liberation of Uganda from the tyranny (read Idd Amin’s government)

“There is no liberation when Muslims are being killed. If the UNLF Gov’t isn’t ready to protect Muslims and their properties, am ready to declare Jihad so that Muslims defend themselves,” Sheikh Mulumba warned in 1979.

Muslims welcomed the statement, which spread like bush fire. The statement also energised and encouraged Muslims to comeout of their hideouts and identify with Islam such as wearing long tunics, caps and veils like never before.

Muslims also displayed un-precedent  passion towards their leader. Indeed no Muslim leader in recent history has enjoyed total support, compassion, and commanded a big following like Sheikh Mulumba.

Sheikh Mulumba received a  hero’s welcome during his countrywide tour in war ravaged areas. Muslims praised him and addressed with highly cherished royal cultural  expressions in Buganda such as “lukomwa nantawetwa” literally meaning “strong deep rooted Mahogany tree whose trunk can’t easily bend.

They also addressed him as “Nantasibwa  Omuge ” powerful Chief  who can’t be crowned with stuff without his royal approval, “Walulinda, Mpango, and above all “Al- Adhiib” in Arabic highly disciplined and humble.

They also claimed that Sheikh Mulumba was highly educated and would fluently speak ’70” international languages.

Sheikh Mulumba Misses Golden Chance

Shortly after assuming office, His Eminence Sheikh Kassimu Mulumba, the Chief Kadhi together with his Executive appointed a new Board of Directors to manage the  Industrial & Commercial Holding  Company Ltd.

The Company was tasked to oversee and supervise other UMSC Subsidiary Companies comprising the Uganda Ranchers among others. Uganda Ranches operated Sembabule Ranch,  which is the case study of our series. 

The Board members comprised the following prominent Muslim Personalities;

●  late Haj Ramadhan  Wasiike, the Chair

●  late Haj Ali Kirunda  Kivejinja

● late  Sheikh Abdunoor  Anas  Kalisa

●  Mr. Norman Kyamanywa

● Haj Fazal Gingo,

●  Haj Simbwa Bunya,

●  Mr. Ibrahim Seguya.

The board was tasked to audit and take stock of what had remained of the UMSC’s Commercial Projects and recommend possible ways of reviving the factories and Ranches affected by the war.

However, around May 1980,  the political temperature flared up following the return of the then Ex-Ugandan President Milton Obote from exile in Tanzania. UPC Stalwarts were working around the clock to regain full control of State Power. On the other hand,  the term of the UMSC Interim Administration under Sheikh Mulumba was about to expire.

However, the independent UMSC Taskforce Committee put in place to organize National Muslim general Election under  the chairmanship of the late Haj. Asuman Mbubi and Late Sulaiman Kiggundu (Dr) as  Administrative Secretary,  had  released the Election Road Map for the UMSC elections scheduled to start in October 1980.

Sheikh Mulumba was advised to call for an urgent meeting of the College of Sheikhs ( Majlis Al Ulaama) for consultations about the ongoing Muslim Election processes. The Meeting took place at the UMSC Headquarters at Old Kampala. During the said meeting, the late Sheikh Zubair Kayongo made a special proposal calling for the suspension of the UMSC Constitution to pave way for the indefinite postponement of the general elections.

This would automatically extend Sheikh Kassimu Mulumba’s tenure as the Chief Kadhi of Uganda without subjecting him to a fresh round of elections.The late Sheikh Yusuf Zirabamuzale, a diehard supporter of Sheikh Mulumba seconded the proposal that was unanimously approved by the members.

Eventually, Sheikh Kassimu Mulumba made a special communication on the outcomes of the meeting.

However, the taskforce that was already preparing for the polls rejected the decision by the college of Sheikhs on the grounds that  they did not have such powers under the Provisions of the UMSC Constitution.

They argued that only competent Courts of Law could issue such orders.

The golden chance Sheikh Kassim Mulumba missed  was his failure to analyse the prevailing situation when Muslims needed unity more than never before because they were  still mourning their dead and nursing wounds inflicted on them during the 1979 war.

Secondly, Sheikh Mulumba was fully aware that he needed to formalise his appointment because there was no shortcut. He would have actually registered  landslide victory.

Unfortunately, Sheikh Mulumba whole-heartedly listened and acted upon advice of his political god father, mentor and close friend the late Paul Muwanga who had assumed state power through his appointment as Chairman of the Military Commission that ruled Uganda towards the 1980 National General elections.

Muwanga came into contact with Sheikhs’ Umar Ddumba  the legendary Quran Reciter, the late Muhammad Bbira and Kassimu Mulumba in the late 1950s during their studies in Egypt. This was also at the peak of Pan- African struggle for independence. The late Egyptian President Gamal Nasser offered all logistical support towards African Freedom fighters by allowing them to open coordination offices in Cairo.

As a result, the Uganda National Congress ( UNC) sent Muwanga to Egypt as its representative  and shortly after Uganda got her independence in 1962, he went on to become Uganda’s first envoy in Egypt. The three Sheikhs played a great deal in helping Muwanga to understand the Egyptian Islamic Arab Culture.  They lived in Egypt for over 20 years.

So, in 1980 the late Sheikh Mulumba in  the accompany of his close collegues; late Sheikh Muhammad Bbira and Umar Ddumba paid a visit to Paul Muwanga, who was excited to see them. He directed his aide de Camp Paul Makanya, who was in charge of protocol in his office to take good care of the Sheikhs.

“These Sheikhs are part of my family so, whenever they want to see me please let them in and never bother them with bureaucracy and office rules,” Muwanga directed.

It was during their frequent visits to State House  when  Muwanga learnt that Sheikh Mulumba’s tenure was about to expire.

“Please kindly listen to me, You Sheikh Mulumba and your collegues, you’re highly learnt Islamic theologians who are fit to head Muslims now to whom do you want to shoulder responsibility?” he asked. Adding that “Apart from you,  am not ready to see any body  steering UMSC. So, that business of UMSC elections needs to be  halted.”

This is the idea of suspended the then looming UMSC general elections was born leading to sharp divisions and conflicts among Muslims.

Prince Badru Kakungulu

Political Interference Breeds Conflicts

The Majority of Muslims especially in Central Region ( Buganda  ) and to some extent Busoga welcomed Sheikh Kassimu Mulumba’s proposal to halt the UMSC 1980 general elections that were already in progress.

On the other hand, Sheikh Abdu Obeid Kamulegeya had shown interest to compete for  the high Office of the Chief Kadhi and even went ahead to mobilise and implore his supporters to participate in the planned elections.

Sheikh  Kamulegeya’s team realised that the only  way to achieve  their goal would be to neutralize Mulumba’s solid support. As a result, Sheikh Kamulegeya hatched a plan of convincing Prince Al Haj Badru Kakungulu to offer himself and run for the position of national UMSC Chairman on grounds that Mulumba had stabbed him in the back by extending his mandate and taking on titles reserved for  Buganda royals despite being an ordinary Muganda.

Convinced with the reasons, Prince Badru  Kakungulu accepted to join the race. After learning about Kamulegeya’s decision, staunch UPC supporters and confidants of Dr. Milton Apollo Obote then UPC Party President  threw their weight behind him and pledged to offer him ( Kamulegeya) all the necessary support to achieve his goal.

The Elections took place under the supervision and monitoring of the UMSC Taskforce Committee. Muslim leaders at various levels were elected.  Between Sept 23rd – 26th 1980, A New UMSC General Assembly, the Supreme Organ of the Council was officially consituted  at Makerere University Man Hall.

The  Assembly thereafter elected Sheikh Abdu Obeid Kamulegeya as the Chief Kadhi and the late  Prince Al Haj Badru Kakungulu as the National Chairman

The other officials were

● Haj Isah Khalifa Lukwago, Hon Secretary General deputies by  Haj  Abdu

    Juma Biramahiire,

● Haj Majid Bagalaaliwo Treasurer,

●  Haj Zakariya Risaasi,   Assistant Treasurer,

● Late Haj  Ramadhan   Wasike, Secretary for  Housing,

●  Haj Muhamood Kazibiraine, Secretary for Education.

● Late Sheikh Ahmad  Mukasa, Secretary for   Religious Affairs

  ● Late Haj Yusuf  Nsubuga Nsambu, Legal Officer.

Sheikh Mulumba dismissed the executive after learning that they had supported  the elections. Also dismissed was the Deputy Chief Kadhi, Sheikh Ali Kivumbi who was replaced by Sheikh Muhammad Ssemakula.

The others included the,

● Late Haj Sulaiman Masaba, the Hon Secretary  General

●  Sheikh Taib Masembe, Secretary for Religious Affairs,

●  Sheikh Muhammad  Bbira the  Protocol Officer,

●  Sheikh Muhammad  Kibanga, the Personal Private Secretary Office of the Chief Kadhi,

●  Late Sheikh Muhammad  Mukongo, the Head of Muslim Volunteers,

●   Late Sheikh Yusuf Mukasa  Officer in charge of  Zakah

●  Late Sheikh Isah  Ssembajjwe,  Waqf ( Endowment) Officer

●  Sheikh Muhamood Walukagga, Tabligh ( Islamic Propagation,

● Late Sheikh Abas  Lukenge, the Slaughter Officer

● Sheikh Ali Mpugu Secretary for Education

● Late Sheikh Yusuf  Zirabamuzale, the Secretary   for Mawuledi ceremonies.

Reconciliation Attempts

Rabitat Al Alam Al Islami (Muslim World League) based in the Royal Kingdom of Saudi Arabia felt concerned about the plight and suffering Ugandan Muslims went through during the 1979 war and the subsequent disturbances among them. As a result, the late Sheikh Muhammad Ali Hakaran, then Secretary-General of MWL extended invitations to Sheikh Kassimu Mulumba, the Chief Kadhi and Sheikh Maulana Abdu- Razak Matovu who went in his capacity as the Kibuli group representative and Uganda’s representative to the board of the Muslim World League in Makkah.

Both Sheikhs honoured the invitations and travelled to Saudi Arabia. The reconciliation meeting took place at Muslim World League Secretariat in Makkah on June 19th, 1981. After the meeting, the sheikhs signed an agreement committing to work together and share the National Offices. Under the agreement, Sheikh Kassimu Mulumba retained his executive powers as the Topmost leader and Chief Kadhi of Uganda while Sheikh Matovu was to assume the ceremonial office of the Mufti with the limited role of handling religious matters such as the interpretation of Holy Quran and Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ( PBUH).

However, the confidants of both principals outrightly rejected the agreement on grounds that they were not consulted. This left Sheikh Abdu- Razak Matovu in an awkward position because he had negotiated for himself an office leaving out his superior Sheikh Abdu Obeid Kamulegeya. Following advice from his camp, Sheikh Abdu- Razak Matovu also publically denounced the agreement, saying that he didn’t fully comprehend the colloquial Arabic Language used and that it was after his return that the terms of the agreement were explained to him, which he couldn’t accept.

On the other hand, the supporters of Sheikh Mulumba seemed to have interest in the title of the Mufti and decided to address him both as the Chief Kadhi and Mufti in addition to many other titles.

The sharp conflicts continued.

By

Zziwa Ashiraf

UMSC Spokesperson.

A letter written by a Muslim War Victim of 1979

Sheikh Kassimu Mulumba Appointed Acting Chief Kadhi of Uganda

The Uganda Muslim Supreme Council  constitutional organs had nearly collapsed as already discussed in previous series  So, Prince Al- Haj Badru Kakungulu was advised to call an urgent Meeting of the College of Sheikhs( Majlis Al Ulaama) at Kibuli Mosque, for the purposes of putting in place a caretaker UMSC Administration.

Fifty five (55) Sheikhs turned up for the crucial meeting. In his address, Prince Kakungulu urged them to perform two tasks which, included appointing an Interim courageous leader and his executive as caretakers of the UMSC Administration for the period of six months. He also tasked them to put in place an Independent Taskforce to organise National Muslim general elections for substantive leaders  to the the lower structures. The program was to be implemented immediately after  the war.

After the deliberations, they unanimously agreed to appoint the late Sheikh Kassimu Mulumba, a graduate from the prestigious Egyptian based Ahzar University. Sheikh Mulumba was serving as Kampala District Kadhi and  Makerere University Mosque Imam at the time of his appointment.

The peak of the war found Sheikh Mulumba on an official working trip in Saudi Arabia. On his return he made a stop over in Nairobi because the situation was still tense,  risky and dangerous in Uganda since the war was  raging on.  Sheikh Mulumba received the news of his appointment to the highest Muslim office in the country while in  Nairobi, Kenya.

The meeting appointed Sheikh Ali Kivumbi, Deputy Chief Kadhi, Dr. Abdu K. Kosozi,  Acting Secretary General while the late  Sheikh  Ahmad Mukasa retained his position as Secretary for Religious Affairs among others.

By Zziwa Ashiraf

UMSC Spokesperson.

UNLF Attempt to Outlaw UMSC Flops

The Uganda National Liberation Front-UNLF government assumed State Power after ousting President Iddi Amin Dada through an external invasion in 1979. The UNLF government comprised mainly Ugandan dissidents, who had fought alongside Tanzania People’s Defense Forces-TPDF to end Amin’s rule.

The new government claimed to have taken stock of the factors that sustained Amin in power for eight years and top on their list was uniting Ugandan Muslims under one Organization- the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council-UMSC. They claimed that Amin used UMSC to source petrodollars from the Middle East and other Muslim countries.

As a result, top UNLF government officials led by the late President Yusuf Lule resolved to dismantle and outlaw UMSC on grounds that Amin created it to promote his political interests. Almighty Allah states in the Holy Quran that it is, “Him who revealed Islam and it is upon Him to safeguard it”.

Despite the general hostility by UNLF officials towards Islam and Muslims, there were a number of prominent Muslims in their ranks. They included the late Prince Al-Haj Badru Kakungulu of Kibuli, Sheikh Abdu Obeid Kamulegeya, the late Sheikh Ali Senyonga, the late Sheikh Zubair Bakari and the late Haj. Ali Kirunda Kivejinja among many others.

The UNLF Gov’t through the late Paul Muwanga communicated its decision to disband UMSC to Prince Kakungulu at Kibuli. They urged him to communicate the decision to the rest of the Muslims indicating that the government was interested to see that old rival Muslim factions  that existed prior to the formation of UMSC in 1972 are revived.

However, Prince Badru Kakungulu outrightly rejected the idea and pleaded with the authorities to spare UMSC as an institution, reasoning that Amin only helped  Muslims to seat at a round table for the sake of Muslim unity. Convinced with the explanation, government allowed Prince Kakungulu to seat down with his contemporaries to re-organize the UMSC leadership and its structures countrywide.

By Zziwa Ashiraf

UMSC Spokesperson

Anti-Muslim propaganda was used before Amin was removed from power

Edward Rurangaranga

By 1978, Ugandan political dissidents in conjunction with the late Tanzanian President Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere and other Western Powers had scaled up military preparations towards ejecting Gen. Amin from State power.

As part of their war strategy, they approached various Christian establishments especially the mainstream Catholic and Anglican clergy who had long detested the growth of Islam. They viewed the formation of Uganda Muslim Supreme Council as a threat as several members of their flock started embracing Islam. As a result, the Church Leaders resorted instilling hatred and discord among their flock against Islam and Muslims in general.

The Church leaders also authored many  Anti-Islamic literature such as “I love Idi Amin,” penned by the late Rt. Rev Festo Kivengere  then the Bishop of Kigezi Diocese. In this book, Kivengere claimed  that on his royal visit to Uganda in 1972, His Majesty King Feisal Bin Abdu Aziiz Al Soudi of Saudi Arabia presented to President Amin a gift in form of golden sword that was implying the forceful Islamization of all Ugandans”

The hate propaganda tickled down to ordinary masses especially Christians. When Tanzanian forces managed to break through the defense lines of Amin’s soldiers, a unit of Ugandan dissidents under the command of the late Edward Rurangaranga, a prominent UPC Stalwart in Ankole was assigned to take on the western axis covering Districts in Ankole, Toro and Bunyoro.

Rurangaranga made an infamous statement at an Anti-Amin rally in Bushenyi saying Ttwatema Omuti Mwiheho Amashanju” literally meaning that “We have managed to cut the big tree (read Amin) so it is your turn to chop off the branches (Muslims)”. Rurangaranga  argued Christians to revenge on Muslims for the wrong acts committed by Amin.

The masses received the message and organized hit squads targeting their Muslim neighbors and relatives.  That marked the beginning of the indiscriminate killing of Muslims across the country. Children, women, the elderly and disabled became legitimate targets for annihilation.

The current generation of young Muslims will never know the intensity of the fear that engulfed the Muslim Community in 1979. As the war raged on, Many Muslims went in hiding while others fled into exile to neighbouring countries mainly Kenya, Sudan and Zaire, which was renamed the Democratic Republic of Congo. Some then new Muslim reverts renounced Islam  to save dear life.Their properties such  as houses, businesses and farms  were destroyed and  personal belongings looted. Whenever a person was spotted donning any attire related to the Islamic faith such as a cap or veil they were killed on the spot by invading Tanzanian solders. For Members of Nubian community were severally purnished, injured and their  bank accounts frozen under accusation of being inner circle of Amin’s gov’t machinery.

The Uganda Muslim Supreme Council-Headquarters at Old Kampala and its lower structures, subsdiary  Companies and factories were not spared.  The National Mosque then under construction at Old Kampala hill, was left bare  as all building materials such as bags of cement, nails, iron bars in hundred of thousands,  heaps of sand, stones, bricks fell in the hands of looters.

All  office property such as furniture, file cabins, kitchen items like saucepans and platters used at Maulid celebrations and mosque carpets were looted. In some areas,  UMSC district  offices,  residences of council Officials like that of late Sheikh Abdunoor Kaduyu then Kadhi of Ankole were destroyed.

Mosques, schools, in Ankole, Kigezi, Masaka, Bombo in Luwero, Lango, and West Nile were completely razed to the ground. Copies of the Holy Quran were placed in pit latrines for use as toilet papers while some Mosques were turned into bars and pigs slaughtered and roasted in them.

Although Muslims have been faulted on many occasions for being radicals, there is no record showing that they have ever desecrated  any place of worship nor a holy scripture belonging to any other religious denomination like it was done to Muslims in 1979.

UMSC  lost its fleet of Vehicles for instance  A Semi Trailer Lorry Fiat 130 NH Reg. No. UVU 735 and Pickup Stout 2000 Reg. No. UVW 516 were looted.

UMSC Ranches, which are the gist of the historical series, were severally vandalized and all  livestock exceeding 10,000  heads of cattle were also looted. That marked the end of  the UMSC Ranch Scheme Program.

By Zziwa Ashiraf

UMSC Suffers Collateral Damage in Both Lives & Property.

His Eminence, the late Sheikh Maulana Abdu-Razak Matovu (RIP), the Chief Kadhi of Uganda, led the first UMSC Administration (1972-1974). The late Sheikh Ali Saad Kulumba deputized him; the late Hon. Ahmad Sulaiman served as the National Chairman while Hon. Haj Abdu Juma Biramahire was Secretary General.

The late President Iddi Amin evicted them from office following a Commission of inquiry and  replaced them by the 2nd UMSC Administration (1974-1978) led by His Eminence Sheikh Yusuf Sulaiman Matovu as the Chief Mufti. He however, did not have a deputy.

The late Dr. Sheikh Abdunoor Anaasi Kalisa served as his principal Private Secretary, Hon. Capt. Muhammad Juma Marijani, National Chairman, and Hon. Haj. Ahmad Mufanjala, Secretary General, and Sheikh Ahmad Mukasa, Secretary for Religious Affairs. May Allah bless their souls.

In early 1978, it came to President Amin’s attention that Sheikh Yusuf Sulaiman, the Chief Mufti had erred on grounds that he had changed the traditional direction of Muslim prayers (Qiblah) from the Holy Kaaba in Makkah, which was tantamount to a grave sin in Islam.

This necessitated his removal from office. Without wasting time, President Amin acted as expected and forced Sheikh Yusuf Sulaiman Matovo to resign. As a result, by time of Amin’s overthrow from state power, there was no overall National Muslim leader.

UMSC operated under the leadership of the National Chairman, Capt. Muhammad Juma Marijan, Secretary General, Haj. Ahmad Mufanjala, Religious Affairs Secretary, Sheikh Ahmad Mukasa and Sheikh Abdunoor Kalisa, the Principal Private Secretary in the Office of the Chief Mufti.

Zziwa Ashiraf

UMSC Spokesperson

The Collapse of UMSC Ranch Scheme

As part of strengthening its Institutional Structures between 1975 and 1978, UMSC launched a Strategic Plan of sponsoring Muslim students to go abroad for advanced managerial and Islamic theological studies. The students were dispatched to among other countries England, Egypt and Saudi Arabia.

For instance, one Abdu Mubi from Masaka joined a UK based University on a fully paid Scholarship that came with monthly allowances paid by UMSC. It was anticipated that such students would return and head the newly  established Subsidiary Companies including the Ranches upon the completion of their studies.

Unfortunately, the plan did not materialize as the majority of the sponsored students didn’t honour the arrangement and went on to pursue their personal adventures after completing their studies.

According to information from the UMSC records, Abdu Mubi last wrote to the then UMSC Hon. Secretary-General the Late Haj. Ahmad Mufangala pleading for an increment of his monthly allowance of £900 (currently about 4.5million) since he had a white girlfriend who was expecting his child.

The available documents show that in 1978 Uganda Ranches Limited successfully secured a grant from the Royal Kingdom of Saudi Arabia totalling Shillings 15 Million for the planned development of the ranches. This included the construction of the perimeter fence, Valley dams, fixing Water channels, drinking troughs and staff quarters and the managers’ residences. However, the above plan hit a snag resulting from the destruction triggered by the liberation War of 1979 that led to the ouster of President, Idi Amin’s government.

Zziwa Ashiraf

UMSC Spokesperson.

UMSC was once one of the biggest Landlords in the country

Gadaffi mosque in Old Kampala

Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) began to operate on solid grounds in 1972 with the full backing of the late President Al-Haji   Idi Amin Dada and his government.  And after the expulsion of Asians, mainly Indians, Gov’t distributed their properties in line with their different religious inclinations.

As a result, the government placed the properties left behind by Asian Muslims in the custody of Uganda Muslim Supreme Council. These comprised Schools, Mosques, Residential Houses, Bungalows, Commercial premises, Warehouses/ stores, factories, Industrial machinery, Sports grounds, Recreation Halls, Clinics and Cemeteries, altogether, numbering over 800 properties.

By 1975, UMSC was one of the biggest Landlords in the country. UMSC also received donations in form of funds because of its close relationship with Muslim Countries and Gulf States. For instance, UMSC operated fixed accounts in the Bank of Uganda with US$ 3 million. It also had an external account with US$ 10 million in the Saudi British Bank in Riyadh, the capital of the royal Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The strong financial base led the first & second UMSC administrations to initiate mega projects with the advice of the government with the aim of ensuring the sustainability of the Council without depending on donations.

Establishment of Ranches;

Through the line Ministries, the Gov’t rolled out a program of leasing all vacant land in the then abundant cattle corridor in in the countryside. It called upon serious developers to apply to set up the ranches. It was at this time that UMSC picked interest with the hope of exploiting opportunities in large-scale livestock farming with the vision of exporting beef and animals to Gulf States specifically targeting Saudi Arabia being the Center of the annual Muslim Pilgrimage, where several animals are slaughtered.

It was hoped that such projects would generate huge income for the Council. UMSC officially applied to the concerned Ministry for acquisition of Land for the Ranching Scheme.

Notes from Ustadha Yasmin Mogahed’s Seminar with Al Buruj Press on Marriage

Love expressed by torment (dnt use romeo and juliet comparisons when in love)
Marriage is amongst his signs, Allah should be at the centre. If foundation not based on Allah, not a proper foundation. If relationship not routed in divine love of Allah then wont be stable. 
Men and women are different but essentially the same. Allahs said he created from you. There is a similarity at route level.
The souls are like armies. There was a realm before this life where souls existed. Those that got along then get along in this life. Two ppl can be awesome but not mesh. Some souls just dnt get along. Incompatibility not down to either person being bad. Two ppl who just click   knew each other before.

He created for you from you spouses/mates that u find sakoon (peace and tranquility) in them. Compare this to romeo and juliet which was not peaceful but like a person suffering from an untreatable drug addiction. Allah says there is supposed to be peace in that relationship.

What are marriages supposed to be like? The marital family is supposed to be a sanctuary. But often the storm is in the house and outside is the sanctuary – this is a problem. The home is supposed to be the safe place otherwise ppl will find peace outside of home. Something should be done about this, we should not accept it, we should take steps to change it. Allah stipulates that home should be a place of tranquility. We should not have to put up with rubbish and call it sabr. Oppression should be fixed. Allah does not say have sabr if see something wrong. If see something wrong should do something to change it. Injustice goes against design of Allah. Allah said help ur brother if he is oppressed. If he is oppresser then stop him from oppressing, that’s how u help ur brother.

There is an obessession of what are people going to think, it’s such an obession is like a worship i.e. everything they do revolves around what are ppl going to think and say. This is a sickness. If so obessessed what ppl think then it becomes a worship, should care what Allah is going to say. Worship doesn’t just mean praying and making dua, it’s about what u put at the centre, what i revolve myself around. This is a serious oppression. Any time u take a criteria other than Allah then you are oppressing yourself, it is unjustice to self.  E.g. 1)person A is being abused, person A trying to change, person A’s family cares about what ppl think and tell person to have sabr. But sabr is not about being passive/victim. Family tells  person A to go back 2) so much pressure on me for not being married by family, you’re expiring/why are you not married. This person says there is pressure to take off hijab to get more proposals. But what is your relationship supposed to be like with Allah? Tranquility not storm. And Allah placed between you love and mercy. Mercy is holding an umbrella in the rain for spouse even when angry and upset. Whereas u can fall in and out of love. Extremely impt to have mercy. It’s not about whether couples fight, but how they fight. There is a healthy way to disagree. Does the mercy go away and turn to contempt, which is something that destroys relationships.

Love is mentioned in the Quran using different words. One of them is Mawada. It comes from root word wadood. It means not just love bit love that’s expressed. Allah’s name is al wadood. He is the source of all love and shows His love. If love is not sourced with Allah then its not real love. It comes with mercy. This is how the relationship is supposed to be.
Allah describes spouses as garment for one another (to cover, protect and beautify one another). A spouse should:
1. Cover – the faults and flaws of another. (That does not mean you can’t seek help from counsellor etc. that’s ok). If spouse makes a mistake in public, don’t correct them in public or expose your spouses faults just to gossip (for sake of help from counsellor etc is fine).
2. Protect – it protects us from rain/cold etc.
3. Beautify – clothing beautifies a person. We should help the other person be a better and stronger person/character building, but not in a harsh way. Don’t marry ppl expecting them to change, they don’t usually change. Ur expectations of person are likely to go down as the person is on their best behaviour. It’s unfair to expect them to be better than he/she is. Take people as they are.

Take person as they are. Don’t marry someone who doesn’t pray. Certain things have to be deal breakers. Some scholars (diff of opinion) say not praying can take u out of fold of Islam, as salah distinguishes us from non believers, the person has to raise kids.

So beautify should not be trying to change someone but support them. It will bring out the best in them. Sometimes people are too pushy. No one wants to be clay that someone else is trying to mould, not healthy. Supporting each other will bring out the best in one another.
Allah says believer should make the dua: 
Rabbana hablana (o Allah grant us the gift) min azwajana… (making our spouses and children the coolness of our eyes). 

Coolness mean calmness /peace/tranquility/shelter. Ultimately spouse is a gift. What is a gift? Do u pay for a gift? Do u deserve a gift? It’s undeserved. It’s because the giver (Allah) is generous. 

Re raising chilren in the best way. We should do our best but result is in Allah’s hand. Nuh (as) son was not good. To have good children and spouse is a gift, nothing in particular u do will earn u it. Same applies to wealth and health. Of course u can try to eat healthy so your not sick, but result is in Allah’s hands. So people should not think there is something wrong with them that they do not have these things. These are things Allah passes with his own wisdom and time. Be careful because we sometimes judge others e.g. judge them that they are from broken families, it shows ingratitude of your own gifts. If you look down on others it shows you think you deserved it, that is ingratitude, you didn’t deserve it Allah gifted you that. Allah gifts to who He wills. Do your bit by making dua. Don’t take granted of gift of judge others if they don’t have it.

How do we build the sanctuary?You have to build (analogy of house) and not destroy (bulldoze). How do i build solid healthy relationships. 2 perspectives on this and we need both: psychological and spiritual.1. Building – John Gotmen studied relationships for decades and watched couples communicate and could predicate which couples would stay together and which wouldn’t. (Grows when feed. Thrives when feed. If neglect will die). Winning someone over and then stopping is wrong e.g. gym for 3 months for marriage and then stop. Relationships need maintenance. Do same things you did to fall in love to stay in love. Love is a science. You can’t just say you fell out of love, you are supposed to put effort into it. For healthy relationships, you need 5 positive interactions for every 1 negative interactions. Sue johnson is also an expert. All experts say what makes relationships end is a lack of connection. Infidelity is a symptom of lack of connection. How does connection happen? There is something called bid for connection e.g. A says omg look at that tree. A (wife) communicating is A making a bid for a connection. B (husband) can respond in 1 of 2 ways. 1 of the ways is to turn towards and other is to turn away. B could say ‘i don’t care about trees’ (shows no interest/gets annoyed/no reaction/diminish importance/preoccupied with something else/turning away action). Or B could respond with enthusiasm.
Why does it matter? (See Gotman study on bids and correlation with divorce) He looked at how many bids by spouse A were acknowledged. Those that separated after 6 years would only positively respond to bids  33% of the time. In contrast the couples that were still together after 6 yearsn 9 out of 10 times they showed attention to their spouse. These little things are not little.
Ppl normally fall in love over big gestures e.g. gifts. But in reality these grand gestures don’t sustain love. It’s small and CONSISTENT gestures that keep relationship going. Remember also that the most beloved deeds to Allah are those that are done consistently. It’s not just big grand inconsistent gestures. E.g. you’re doing sits ups and one day u do a thousand sit up and u do for another 3 days but then stop. Contrast with regular but less sit ups. Second will get u results, same with relationships. So bids for attention are impt. Thsse little actions build or break that connection over time. So someone may be interested in astrology, you don’t need to be interested in it too but show importance to it. Same with kids, you show interest in subject because of person sharing it. It’s about person not interest.So to build bond, have to build and not destroy. So what destoys relationshop. Gotman came up with 4 horseman of the apocolypse:
1. criticism – when it becomes a personal attack. Don’t say “you do xyz” (attacking) verses “i felt xyz when…”(fine. this will prevent person becoming defensive). Criticism destroys relationship.
2. Contempt – look at behaviour and not person e.g. forgot milk – don’t label person irresponsible or uncaring. Don’t attribute negative qualities to person. Forgetting milk doesn’t justify shunning someone as irresponsible.
3. Defensiveness – tit for tat. You do xyz and i will do that to you.
4. Stonewalling – completely puts a wall/shuts down/feels like talking to a wall/completely blocked out. Is this a good idea? No, could be more harmful.
–Q’s segment1. What if stonewalling helps with not being disrespectful? No. Can say i’m very upset right now, give me a few mins. Have consideration. At least let person know. Mercy is when you can acknowledge person.2. Contentment – if there is a behaviour that bothers u about spouse then you should address it but it is how you do it. Are you insulting the person or their behaviour? e.g. say “when u don’t do xyz it makes me feel ignored” instead of you “you don’t care”–
Spirituality 
If empty inside, you can’t give to a relationship. So fill up spiritually so that you are able to give.  Need to be a full cup spiritually, only then can you give.
Prescription:
1. SalahSalah is like oxygen for human. You wouldn’t marry a dead person. Neglecting salah is like neglecting oxygen, your heart dies. 1st thing u are asked about on day of judgment is salah. Fail if no salah. Need to ensure you have oxygen yourself firstly. Where there is a will there is a way. Everyone has excuses re not praying because of meeting/job/school. If u can find a way to bathroom, u can find a way to pray. We see bathroom as a priority and will do at any expense to avoid humiliation (regardless if in exam, driving, in bed at 4am). 
2. AdhkarSupplications prophet saw used to say during the day. Prophet saw had dua for everything (fortress of muslim book). There is a reason why he did it. His heart was focused on rememberance of Allah. This is akin to you feeding ur heart and soul vitamins. It is filling u up and making u stronger. The more healthy u are inside, the more u can give. E.g. if heart is corrupted then all body is and vice versa. If heart fixed, ur view on life, spouse, how u react to world changes. Everything changes when heart changes. If rectify heart, everything follows from it.Prophet saw had dua for eveything. If can do then great. You need food and water to survive (and vitamin C as extra). Survival part of adhkaar is the morning adkaar (APP: MY DUAA).Adkhar, prioritise as below:1. Morning2. Evening3. Night4. Eating/drinking5. Enter bathroom6. Leave bathrokm7. Enter home8. Leave home9. Intimacy
Saying these duas, shuts shaytan. These create fortress of protection. This is best thing you cam do to protect your family, home, children and relationships.
3) QuranEnsure regular connection, be consistent. Also try to understand and implement it.
What has spirituality got to do with marriage?
– concept of protection. If want to protect doors to shaytan, do the adkhar mentioned above to close doors to shaytan. Head shaytan thrilled when causes problems between husband and wife. Enemy is made stronger if pretend it is not there. Shaytan is an enemy so take him as an enemy, be on guard. If we become heedless then enemy can become stronger. Protect yourselves. Adkhar will make a difference to ur day. It provides peace and tranquility. This is a promise of Allah. Allah says: Indeed in the rememberance of Allah do the heart finds tranquility. It also helps u keep yourself in check. It helps with ur mental health. It helps with anxiety, depression, mood stabilisation (obv seek medical help where needed)
CompartmentsEverything should be put in the right compartments. Analogy: if gas expensive for car and put orange juice instead, you have damaged ur car. You put orange juice in gas tank. There is a part of the heart/the core. This is saved for ur deepest love and devotion. This part of heart created only for Allah. If this is filled with anything other than Allah then problematic. Husband, kids, job, status etc should not be put there or they will become the greatest source of our pain. The most excrutiating pain doesn’t necc come from loss and heartbreak but it’s from filling that part of heart with anything other than Allah. You should not take rivals with Allah, love should overflow for love of Allah. If wrongly placed, this is why relationships fail or hurt badly. Don’t go against the divine design.
Written by a student. Not official notes. 
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SIGNS YOUR WASTING YOUR LIFE AWAY

1. You spend too much time doing things you shouldn’t be doingVideo games. Reality TV. Surfing the ‘net. Stuffing your face with too much food. Drinking too much. And the list goes on. Take a serious look at your life. Where are you spending the majority of your time? And does it serve you well? Is it leading to a better life? Is it laying the foundation for a bright future? If not, then you need to reevaluate your routine activities and make changes.
2. You find yourself complaining a lotI know people who are constantly overwhelmed with life, and they never cease to tell me. Are you one of those people? Do you complain about your job, your boss, your salary, your neighbors or your spouse? If you do, then you are doing nothing but exuding negative energy. Negativity doesn’t change things. It keeps you stuck. So change your thoughts and talk about what you appreciate about your life, not what you don’t like.
3. You don’t feed your mindIf you’re not continually growing and learning as a person, then you are stagnant – just like a still pond that doesn’t move and grows green gunk on it. That’s what your mind does if you don’t keep it active and learn new things. Positive challenges in your life will expand your mind, not send it backwards.
4. You have a lot of negative self-talkSelf-talk can make or break your life. As Henry Ford said, “Whether you think you can, or think you can’t… either way, you’re right.” If you tell yourself that you’re not smart enough to get that promotion or start a business, then you’re right. If you tell yourself you’re too exhausted to put effort into changing your life, then you’re right. Whatever you tell yourself becomes your reality. So closely monitor what you say to yourself, because you will find that your life matches your thoughts.
5. You feel uninspiredDo you have a passion for anything? I know a lot of people who think they don’t have a passion. But that’s never the case. There has to be something that you enjoy doing. So you need to rediscover what excites you, and then do more of it.
6. You don’t plan for your futureWhile it’s always great to live in the “now” and “be in the moment,” sometimes you need to look ahead to see where you want to go. If you don’t have a goal or a plan, then you are like a boat that is wandering aimlessly in the ocean hoping to end up somewhere good. But you can’t do that. You have to make a step-by-step guide to get where you want to go. Just like a GPS gets you to a destination, you need your own inner GPS to guide you.
7. You spend too much time with people who don’t contribute to your growthIt’s easy to get stuck hanging out with people who are not making you feel like a better person. But if you keep doing that, then you will stay stagnant or get pulled down with them. I like to call them “Energy Vampires.” They suck the life out of you and give you nothing positive in return. Instead, go find growth-oriented people to be around.
8. You’re addicted to your phoneSure, cell phones are super cool gadgets that can leave us entranced when we use them. While that’s fun, think about all the time you are wasting with your phone. Even worse, think about all the relationships that might be affected. Maybe you’re texting or searching the internet while you’re having dinner with your spouse or kids. If you are, you’re missing out on meaningful time you can spend with your loved ones – or time you could devote to making a plan for your future.
9. You spend money on things that don’t matterThere is a difference between a “need” and a “want.” I’m sure we all learned that in kindergarten. However, in today’s society, we have blurred the lines quite a bit (see #8… the cell phone). In fact, I know people who can’t pay their mortgage, but still have the fanciest gadgets on the planet. If you stop to think about it, there is very little that we actually need. Food, water, shelter and love are some of those things. All the rest are just bonuses. So look at what you’re spending your money on and see if you can make adjustments. Maybe you can use the money you save to invest in your future.
10. You don’t get enough sleepI’m not a medical doctor, but I have read enough books to know how vitally important sleep is. I could write 20 pages on it. But I obviously don’t have enough room in this short article. Sleep is crucial for good health. If you’re too busy to get enough sleep or if you simply have a bad habit of staying up until the wee hours of the morning, you should re-evaluate your habits.
11. You’re not taking care of your bodyNot only is sleep essential to your health, so is food and exercise. I know I’m not telling you anything you don’t already know. But eating a balanced, healthy diet and moving your body around truly does have more positive effects other than weight loss. It affects your mental attitude and overall well-being. So take a look at your diet and level of activity. You might find that making a few small changes will greatly improve your life.
12. You don’t leave your comfort zoneI know how easy it is to live in a comfort zone. In fact, when I go to a familiar restaurant, I always order the same thing. Not because I’m afraid to try something new, but because I like the food I normally order. But that’s not the kind of comfort zone I’m talking about. I’m talking about taking a risk that will improve your life. And keep in mind, there is a difference between a “risk” and a “calculated risk.” Any risk has the possibility to be deadly, but a calculated risk is one in which you’ve weighed all options and thus come up with a good, sensible plan of action.
13. You’re living a life you don’t likeThe way I measure success is by someone’s level of happiness. Are you happy? If not, then you should change something! Even a feeling of contentment or satisfaction doesn’t tell you that you’re living life to the fullest. Life should be exciting! So if you’re not enjoying life, take a look at some of the changes you can make to get you to a better place. If any of these 13 points sounded like you, don’t despair. You can make changes. But the first change you need to make is getting rid of the idea that you can’t do it. Many times, your biggest obstacle is your own thought process. So start there. Change your thinking – then change your life.
By Carol Morgan 

Things men tell me they need during counselling

Here are 6 common things men tell me they need but don’t know how to tell their wives.
1. Men want their wives to say “I love you” more. 
No matter how many years you’ve been married never assume your husband knows how much you love him. The old saying “I don’t need to tell him because he already knows” is false. You must do so daily in words and actions. 
2. Men need their own space after an argument. 
Women are more commonly pursuers for conflict resolutions while men commonly withdraw which reinforces the negative cycle. Let your man cool down by allowing him to retreat to his man cave or do something that soothes him before addressing the issue with him. Give him space. Ideally, agree on a time to resume the conversation so it doesn’t get swept under the rug.
3. Men want their wives to initiate sex.
A common complaint is men having to ask for sex and getting turned down again and again. It impacts their manhood and makes them feel demoralized. They tell me they wish their wives would be more spontaneous about sex and do exciting things to spice it up. Many tell me their wives are even embarrassed to say the word SEX or talk about fantasies or talk sexually during sex. Remember, it isn’t haram to talk sexually to your husband or to court him sexually. On the contrary, it’s encouraged and an act of worship with the correct intention. The more couples talk about sex and their fantasies the better sex they have. 
4. Men want to be praised and appreciated regularly.
Many men tell me “she doesn’t appreciate what I do”. Men, especially those who are the primary providers in the relationship that work massive hours during the week need regular praise and a supportive partner in their corner to cheer them on.
Just like women, men need encouragement and support too. Think about how good you feel when your husband brings you flowers or a small gift or says thank you. Men need that too. Think about the little things that your husband does that makes your life smoother then thank him for them. Couples should show at least 3 appreciations to each other per day. 
5. Men want to be touched.
Men report to me that they prefer physical intimacy and their love language is typical physical touch. Men see sex as physical touch while women prefer emotional intimacy before physical touch and sex. It becomes a vicious cycle. 
I tell my clients to meet halfway and to make sure they create a daily ritual where they give eachother a 6 second kiss and a 6 second hug when departing and reuniting every day. 6 seconds is enough time for the good hormones to be released which is a good lead up to better sex later on. It fulfills the man’s desire for physical touch and shows the wife he isn’t kissing because he just wants sex.
6. Men want to be respected. 
It’s part of man’s nature to love being respected. Nothing hurts a man more than being disrespected especially in front of the children, family and friends. When men are constantly disrespected it minimizes their chances of showing emotions and being emotionally connected or responding appropriately to their upset wife. When men feel respected they tend to be more “at your service”. As the Arabic saying goes “treat him like a king and he will be your servant”.
Catch your husband doing something right everyday and let him know instead of focusing on his flaws. 
Women who focus on their husband’s strengths and tell them what they do well are bound to have happier marriages. 
If you have a good man in your life, recognize it and treat him accordingly and most importantly LET HIM KNOW. 
Disclaimer: this is based on my experience counselling men and working with couples. These advices are general and do not apply to domestic violence and abusive relationships.
By Mohamed Rima
Views are of the counsellor only

Hajj Story !!very touching!!

Sa’eed was sitting at the waiting area at the Jeddah airport after having completed the rites of hajj, and next to him was another person who completed his hajj.
The man next to him said:
“I work as a contractor and Allah (swt) has blessed me with performing my tenth hajj.
Sa’eed told him:
” hajj mabroor, may Allah accept and forgive you your sins.
The man smiled and said: ameen.
Then he asked him: have you performed hajj before this time?
Sa’eed was hesitating to tell him, and then he said:
“by Allah, it’s a long story and I don’t want to hurt your head with my talk.
The man laughed and said:
“Please tell me, as you see we have nothing to do, we’re just waiting.
Sa’eed smile and said: yes, waiting is the start of my story.
“I’ve been waiting years so that I can go to hajj.
After working for thirty years as a physiotherapist in a private hospital, I was able to save enough money to go for hajj. 
The same day I went to get my salary, I came across one of the mother’s who’s paralyzed son I treat.
I could see her face was worried and anxious.

She said:
“I leave you to Allah’s keeping, brother Sa’eed this is our last visit to this hospital.
I was surprised with her words and I thought she wasn’t happy with my treatment, and that she was considered moving her son to another hospital.
She told me:
“no brother Sa’eed, Allah bears witness that you were to my son like a father, and you helped him in his treatment when we had lost hope.
– Then she left very saddened.
The man next to him interrupted and said:
“that’s strange, if she was pleased with your treatment and her son was improving then why did she leave?
Sa’eed answered:
“that’s what I thought too, so I went to the administration to find out what happened.
They told me the boy’s father had lost his job and was unable to continue paying for his son’s treatment.
The man next to him said:
“there is no might and power except with Allah, poor them, how did you deal with it?
Sa’eed said:
– I went to the manager and pleaded with him to continue treating the boy on the hospital’s expense, but he sharply rejected and said, ‘this is a private institution not a charity’.
– I left his office sad and broken for this family.
– Then suddenly, I placed my hands in my pocked which had my money all prepared for hajj.
I stood in my place for a while, then I raised my head above and spoke to my Rabb:
O Allah, You know how I feel and You know there is nothing more beloved to me than to go to Your house and do hajj, and to visit Your messenger’s masjid.
You know I have been working all my life for this moment, but I prefer this poor lady and her son over myself, so don’t deprive me of Your favors.
– I went to the accounts desk and paid all I had for his treatment which covered the next six months.
– I begged the accountant to tell the lady that it’s from the hospital expense for special cases.
He was affected by this and there were tears in his eyes and said, ‘baarak Allah feek and people like you’
The man next to him then said:
“if you donated all of your money, then how did you go to hajj?
Sa’eed said:
” I went back to my home sad that day for having lost the opportunity of a lifetime for hajj.
But my heart was filled with happiness that I removed a distress from the lady and her son.
– I slept that night with a tear on my cheek.
– I had a dream and I was making tawaf around the ka’aba and people were saying salam to me and they told me:
#‘hajj mabroor O Sa’eed, for you have performed hajj in the heavens before you performed hajj on earth’.
– I immediately woke up and felt an indescribable happiness.a
– I praised Allah (swt) for everything and was pleased with His decree.
When I got up from my sleep, my phone rang and it was the hospital’s manager.
He told me the owner of the hospital wants to go to hajj this year and he won’t go without his personal therapist.
But his therapist’s wife is expecting and has reached her final days of pregnancy so he can’t leave her.
– Would you do me favor?
– Would you accompany him in his hajj?
I made sujood shukr to Allah (swt). And as you see, Allah (swt) granted me to go to His house without having to pay anything.

And all praise to Allah, the owner of the hospital insisted on giving me something for his accompaniment.
I told him the story of the lady and her son, and he demanded the boy be treated at the hospital from his own personal expense.

– And to place a donations box in the hospital for the treatment of needy patients.
– And on top of that, he gave the boy’s father a job at one of his companies.
He even returned the money I had initially spent for the boy’s treatment.
Have you seen great favors than the favors of my Rabb? Subhan Allah.
The man next to him hugged him and told him: by Allah I have never felt this kind of shyness as I’m feeling now.
I would perform hajj one year after another thinking I was doing something great, and that my place with Allah would be elevated as a result of it.

But now I understood that your hajj is equivalent to a thousand of mine.
I went to the house of Allah, but Allah invited you to His house.
May Allah accept your hajj.
Always think good about Allah (swt) and know He is able to do all things.
We ask Allah to forgive us and humble us in everything we do. Aameen

DEAR PARENTS IN ISLAM !!

DEAR PARENTS IN ISLAM !!

If You Can Take Your Children for Shopping, Then Why Can’t You Take Them to Nearby Masjid.?

If You Can Wake Them Up for a Long Journey, Then Why Can’t You Wake Them Up for Fajar?

If You Can Buy Them Stories and Comics, Why Can’t You Buy Them Translated Quran and Hadith Books?

If You Can Send Them to High-Class Tuitions, Then Why Can’t You Send Them to Nearby Madrasa for learning about the great teaching of Islam ?

If You Have Time to Watch Movies With Them, Then Why Don’t You Have a Bit Time to Spend With Them for Islamic Lecturers about what the holy Quran says about the humanities ?

Dear Parents, Please Let Us All Reconnect With the Deen that will enlighten ourselves and the whole world community .

If you are guided with the guidance of the Deen ,
Deen will guided you to the Jannah or Paradise.

DESPITE WORKING FULL-TIME, SAVING & INVESTING, WHY ARE MOST EMPLOYED PEOPLE UNSUCCESSFUL*

Early 2000,there was a young man whose career was blossoming got wind of a potentially life-changing business idea – investing in shares. Like most people, he had grown up watching TV and reading newspaper articles about the profitability of this kind of business.
So when BAT floated its IPO, he figured out this was his chance to stand to be counted. He took a ug shs 20Million loan from a local bank at an interest rate of 25% per annum. By that time BAT shares were trading at Ug sh. 1000 and so he managed to purchase 20,000 shares.
Looking into the future, he was almost assured of being a multimillionaire in a span of 5 years because as most of his fellow investors had expected, the share price would shoot to Ug sh.3000 a piece. Shock on him, a few months down the line something happened. The share prices came down rumbling, trading to less Ug sh. 500  a situation that sent the young man into panic mode.
Things were not looking good and waiting a little bit more into the future certainly did not look like a good idea given that a loan had to be repaid. He hurriedly sold off his shares at Ug sh.300 and even getting customers was not easy. Finally he succeeded and sold off all his shares, exited the circus and used the proceeds to settle part of the outstanding loan. In addition to that, he had to part with a portion of his salary for some months in order to fully clear the entire amount.
To make matters worse, as he was still trying to figure  his way out of the murky waters of debt, things started to look up for BAT on the bourse with the share price shooting all the way up to Ug shs 3500,then to 5000. If only he had waited for a few more years!
Stories such as this one are not uncommon, it’s only that majority choose to suffer in silence rather than parade their failures for all to see. 
Certainly, more and more salaried people with seemingly good life and from an educated background are slowly wallowing in poverty despite working hard, saving diligently and even investing.
But why does this happen?
Let’s take a look at why educated and salaried people often remain poor despite having start up capital to excel in life.
*(1) Wanting To Hit Two Birds With One Stone*
With a job to keep, a boss to impress and bills to pay, salaried people cannot afford to completely ditch their comfortable 8am to 5pm lifestyle. So they  get loans ,hire and entrust their relatives or village-mates to run the affairs of the so-called side business. And there  lies the problem.
The first person they hire proves too lazy and unambitious, so they fire him. The second person they hire is a family member who clearly lacks the zeal and expertise to run the business, so once again they fire him when they notice the business is on its deathbed. 
The third and final person (not a relative or a friend)  who despite being passionate excels in dishonesty. Before you know it, the once emaciated chap milks the business dry and escapes (not back to the village but to start his own venture using money and experience stolen from the unsuspecting boss.) And sometimes opening up the same business.
At the end of it all, one is left with no other option than to simply close the business, count losses and repay a loan without getting any value in return.
*(2) Investing Out Of Superfluous Research*
Tell a salaried guy to follow his passion – he will confidently answer you that his only passion is drinking and partying hard all weekend long at one of those  clubs along Kampala streets
Tell them to research about the latest business trends – they will tell you they have no time because they are busy for most of the day working for their bosses.
End result: they live a superfluous life, devoid of self-awareness and facts. And because they spend most of their time typing “Amen” on Facebook, the only way they know to invest is through half-baked methods.
Others start hardwares because word on the street has it that there is a “construction boom” in the country  and others start farming because they were told that’s where u can mint money ,only to be shocked about the reality on the ground. Some buy thousands of broiler chicken and keep them without learning the best practices of such business only to lose the entire brood due to an unfamiliar disease.
*(3) Disliking Dirty Jobs*
How dare you tell a whole Branch manager to build a simple wooden house,invest in charcoal selling door-to-door ? The only thing these moderately paid office chaps can get dirty doing is changing a tyre of their ex-Japan Toyota cars which they bought on loan. They hate doing the heavy lifting.
And so even when it comes to investing, they look for methods that require least effort to create disproportionate profit levels. Their dislike for odd jobs is what makes them resort to remotely managing their ventures which of course leads to similar consequences as those discussed in point number 1 above.
*(4) Being Out Of Touch With Reality*
The life cycle of a salaried person starts in school where he or she is taught and required to memorize arbitrary formula and theories. Then after 20 years of schooling, they come out, tarmac for a few years and then land on a job. And therein lies another problem.
They end up being out of reach with realities of life. They think they can use the mathematics formula they learned at school to start a business only to be shocked by the fact that the complexity of real life requires more than just text book knowledge to manoeuvre.
*(5) Behaving As If They Just Realized Loans Exist*
Most people live beyond their means and so they don’t save a lot. So even when they hear of a potentially good business idea e.g. buying  shares like in the case above, their only course of action is to take loans to be repaid in 5years.
And because they have what most bankers adore – a regular paycheck – they easily get funded. Little do they know that things like shares are best bought with long-term savings and small start-ups are best nurtured through bootstrapping.
Loans in business are best taken for scaling up a business, not starting one from scratch!
*(6) Investing Out Of Fear Of Losing Job, Not Passion*
Employed people are always worried about the day when their boss will turn against them. Somehow, they know that a day will come and they will be jobless and broke – but they don’t know when.
So they join the “be your own boss” crazy, not because they are passionate but out of fear of the unknown. From past experience , 20% of businesses started on the fear motive live to see their second birthday.
*(7) Starting In A Big Way*
The reason the salaried class tends to suffer from lifestyle diseases from a young age is because they survive in a rat race. They compete on who takes their kids to the best schools. They brag about their cars and finance expensive ceremonies all in the name of keeping up with the standards.
But that’s not even the problem. Besides living a “big life” they attempt to take their ‘big ways” into the world of business. So Rita wants to start a bridal shop business. She rents a huge front and back office. Hires a manager ,receptionist, watchman, cashier, and some other employees.
Goes ahead and imports the latest office furniture. Gets an unnecessarily expensive website created. And because her corporate ways have shown her that “image is important” she goes ahead and commissions a grand launch. All this is financed on a loan to be re-payed in 48 months.
What Rita doesn’t know is that her small business has other more important priorities to deal with. While such image building tactics may help, they may not have a significant effect to the business’s bottom line.
What truly matters during the early days of a business is its ability to give value to customers through optimal use of available resources. The glamour and grandeur almost always does more harm than good at this stage of growth.
*(8) They Invest In Dubious Land Deals*
If not chained to a 35 year mortgage of an overpriced, poorly finished apartment in Kampala or Entebbe, the well-educated guys spend most of their life untangling themselves dubious land deals.
It’s either they buy into one of those overhyped priced estate deals where one is told to buy a plot+ a house at Ug sh.300m and expect to stay from the comfort of your couch. Or they are busy buying cheap plots in the middle of nowhere without even taking time to do a search at Government offices or bothering about the title deed. They only come to realize later that they bought hot air.
Results: they spend decades on repaying loans without having anything to show for it. Sometimes things get worse and they are forced to put up with endless court cases.
*(9) Lack of Patience*
Nothing tests your patience better than a small business. And usually, majority of the employed  are not as patient as they think. The longest they can hold onto an idea is two years …if it doesn’t materialize they give up.
The only reason they get into business is to “try and see” if it can effectively replace their paycheck. Once they sense nothing of that sort is bound to happen, they pack and go.
Have u ever heard of the clothing brand FUBU? Well, just know that the guy behind it had to survive for 9 years without making any reasonable profit out of it. But he was patient because he had a long-term agenda – and yes, long-term agenda is what the salaried class seems to lack when making investments.
*(10) They Lack Financial Discipline*
Although some of them are bold enough to quit their well-paying jobs to start new ventures, they forget about financial discipline. They continue paying rent in the same apartment that gobbled up 50 per cent of their salary.
They continue to pay for expensive gym and club memberships which were previously being paid for them by the company. In other words, they continue to make a mistake of living beyond their means hence placing too much pressure on the upcoming business.
Instead of re-investing profits to grow the business, they suckle out all proceeds like merciless pests leaving the once promising business struggling.
*Final Word*
The reason we all wake up early in the morning to go to our places of work is that, we may create a better future for ourselves. But what happens when that very future is jeopardized by our very own misinformed decisions? 
If you are a full-time worker with plans to invest now, in the future (or even if you have a running business), it’s my hope that you will be alive to these ten poverty-breeding ways and be careful with the kinds of decisions you make going forward.Thank you for readingGood Luck!#copied

Eulogizing Late Dr Abdul Noor Anas Kaliisa; one of infectious passion for education

Swaib K Nsereko

Department of Mass Communication, Islamic University in Uganda

In-sha-Allah, I should be done with my PhD program in communication science at around this time next year. All thanks to the inspiration drawn 17 years ago from a two-hour meeting with, now the late Dr Abdul Noor Anas Kaliisa.  Back then, I and my closest friend Abdul Hamid Mpoza worked for a Muslim news publication, The Weekly Message.Our boss, Abdul-Karim Kaliisa secured a rare appointment for an interview with his senior brother. We went to Kawempe to conduct it. We found Dr Kaliisa very jovial; hard to tell we were interfacing for the first time. Full of energy, he entertained with jokes, drinks, fruits and later food as though it were a party of sorts.

Back at the station, transcribing the interview that had been recorded in sound and ink, we had the most challenging editorial decision. As senior staff for a small publication, we had influenced a policy that limited interviews to only half a page. But here were: two hours of too insightful words to drop even a single one. That required two full pages at minimum which constituted breach of a policy. One word though, runs through our veins to this day: education. As we ended the interview, Mpoza had asked Dr Kaliisa for his last word. He answered: education, education, education.

“It’s everything I should say,” he said and breathed deeper. “I owe everything I call a possession to it…even this residence.”  

Dr Kaliisa explained that because of his education adventures he had travelled to several countries of the world expense free. “I get everything paid for—air tickets, accommodation, meals and yes, gain more useful knowledge,” he said. “Go for any education opportunity coming your way—be it for a certificate or postdoctoral,” he advised.  

Mpoza had just graduated with a bachelor’s degree in mass communication from Makerere university and I with a diploma in media studies from Uganda Institute of Business and Media Studies (UIBMS).  From that fresh commitment, today Mpoza is also due to complete his PhD in communication studies at the Pakistani University of the Punjab. Thanks again to Dr Kaliisa’s inspiration.

There are two extra special attributes that are inescapable to observe from Dr Kaliisa’s bank of knowledge: (i) purpose to which he put it that was majorly to serve Allah—by urging His people towards good conduct—an obligation sourced from the Holy Quran. (ii) being explanatory as opposed to argumentative.

The explanatory tool requires one to examine and convey complex ideas, concepts and information clearly and accurately. It demonstrates comprehension of a topic and attempts to inform rather than persuade or argue on a point. On the other hand, the ultimate aim of argumentative approaches is to convince or persuade a given audience. Failure of which causes misery.

I experienced later that while explanations enrich the field of knowledge, arguments hurt it, hurt the heart, the brain and eternally damage self-esteem. Whoever does arguments is a vulnerable victim.

It is not clear to me though, whether Dr Kaliisa leant the skill of explanations by trait or by training. But it’s what introduced and described him to most Ugandans. When his tongue spoke on mass channels, thousands of ears and eyes captured and retained his messages on radio and TV. I was his ardent fan of his ‘Ensi n’ebyayo’ on nbs Tv every Sunday. So when my house members first heard news of his passing on that Wednesday evening of November 4, 2020, they hesitated to break it to me as I must have been driving from work at that time. Indeed, the news rendered me weaker spontaneously as I stepped into the house. But the reality of the following Sunday that I attended nbs tv at four o’clock without Dr Kaliisa on screen, remains the most emotional moment for me. It’s a constant reminder that from Allah we all came and to Him is our return.

May Allah be pleased with all our souls.                         

—
Assistant  Lecturer, Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU) Mass Communication Dept
P.O Box 7689 Kampala, UgandaTel: +256701872431

Dr. Kasenene was instrumental in the establishment of Kawempe Muslim Seconday Sch!

Haji Associate Prof. Dr. Edris Serugo Kasenene

Edris Serugo Kasenene was born on 30th September, 1949 at Kibinda, Byakabanda Sub-county, Koki County, Rakai District.His father is the late Haji Rajabu Mukasa of the Ente (cow) clan, son of Sadiq Kasenene who was the oldest of five sons of Mbajo who had settled and later buried at Bisanje Masaka.

Sadiq Kasenene participated in religious battles between Christians and Muslims that ended at Kalagala in Kabula, Lyantonde District. He later migrated to Koki following his aunt who was the wife of the former Kamuswaga Kabumbuli II of Koki Kingdom which later in 1868 became a traditional county of the 18th counties (Kamuswaga) of Buganda Kingdom.

Edris Sergugo Kasenene’s father Rajabu Mukasa later migrated to Kakoma Village in Lwanda Sub-county, Koki County – Rakai district. He served as Kakoma Village Chief for 15 years and later became the Head of Mbajo SSiga in Ente Clan until his death in 1999.His mother is the late Hajat Joweria Nnakirembeka of Mutima (heart) Clan.

Education:
Edris Kasenene went to Kammengo Muslim Primary School for his primary education, where he attained his Primary School Certificate in 1964. He joined Kakoma and later Serinnya Junior Secondary Schools where he attained his Junior Secondary School Certificate. From there, he joined Agakhan Masaka Senior Secondary School where he attained O’Level School Certificate in 1969.

In 1971, he attended Shimoni Teachers’ College, Kampala where he attained a Grade III Primary Teacher’s Certificate in 1973.
Following the assessment of Shimoni College, Edris Kasenene performed very well and he was retained as a teacher at Shimoni Demonstration School in May 1974. In 1975, he was appointed Headmaster and posted at Kawempe Muslim Primary School.

In 1994, he registered for Uganda Advanced Certificate Examinations as a private candidate and attained two principal passes and at the same time, sat for Mature Age Entrance Examination for Makerere University which he passed well. Accordingly, Makerere University admitted him on government sponsorship for a Bachelor’s Degree Programme in 1994/1995 academic year which he passed well in Second Class Upper Division in 1997. In the same year in August, Makerere University admitted him for a two year Masters programme to pursue a Master of Arts in Educational Management and Administration which he successfully completed in 1999. In January 2000, Makerere University admitted him for a Doctor of Philosophy Degree Programme in Educational Management and Administration which he successfully completed in 2003 and graduated as a PhD Holder in January, 2004.

He also holds a Diploma of Education from Kaliro NTC awarded by Kyambogo University, and an International Certificate in Education Sector Planning from UNESCO Headquarters Paris, France.

Haji Dr. Serugo Kasenene is an associate professor and a Doctor of Philosophy with a doctorate in Educational Management and Administration, a Masters degree in Educational Management and Administration and a Hons. Bachelor of Arts Degree, Upper Division – all from Makerere University, Kampala.

Service to the nation
1.From primary school teacher to a professor

Kasenene the teacher
Following the assessment of Shimoni College, Edris Kasenene performed very well and he was retained as a teacher at Shimoni Demonstration School in May 1974. In 1975, he was appointed Headmaster and posted at Kawempe Muslim Primary School.

After assuming the headship of Kawempe Muslim Primary School, he organized teachers, worked hard and in 1976, he presented 31 candidates for Primary Leaving Examinations. Twenty nine candidates passed in division one and 2 passed in division two.

According to the then Kampala City Council ratings, Kawempe Muslim Primary school was the best performer and was awarded a shield. Since then, the school continued performing very well, thanks to Edris Kasenene’s focused leadership. In most cases it either attained first or second or third positions in KCC schools before he was transferred to Nakivubo Settlement Primary School in 1994.

During his time as the head of Kawempe Muslim Primary School, the school attracted students from the whole country and it was the first Muslim school in Kampala to start a boarding section.

In those years, many of his students were admitted in traditional famous secondary schools such as King’s College Budo, St. Mary’s College Kisubi, Gayaza High School, Namagunga Girl’s School, Kibuli S S, Nabisunsa Girls’ School, etc.

Most of these later became educationists, medical doctors, engineers, lawyers, administrators, social scientists/workers, managers, politicians and security personnel. Notable ones in high profiled positions include among many others;
1.Umaru Kakumba – Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic Affairs, Makerere University, Kampala.
2.Umaru Bagampadde – Dean, School of Technology, College of SADET, Makerere University, Kampala.
3.Dr. Badru Muyanja – District Veterinary Officer, Luwero.
4.Hon. Mike Kennedy Sebalu – former MP Busiro East Consitituency, Wkiso District and Member of East African Leagislative Assembly.
5.Muhamud Kateregga – UMSC Executive Committee Member and UNICEF Cordinator.
6.Dr. Isha Nalule – Veterinary Doctor, Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Agriculture, Kigali University.
7.Juliet Namuddu – Director of Education, KCCA.
8.Hamza Sendagire – Deputy Headmaster, Nkoms SS, Mbale.
9.Martin Muyingo – Headmaster, Makerere College School, Kampala and a PhD Candidate.
10.Muhamoud Lutale – Headmaster, Namayumba Secondary Secondary School, Wakiso District.
11. Dr. Habibu Kabuye Takuba – Former Deputy Mayor Kampala City Council
12. Nasser Kibirige Takuba – Former LCIII Chairman Kawempe Division.

Kasenene the Associate Professor
While he was a PHD candidate at Makerere University, Haji Kasenene was appointed lecturer at Kampala International University. On completion of his PHD in 2003, he was appointed Associate Dean – Kampala International University, Faculty of Education, Ishaka Campus, Bushenyi District. In 2005, Makerere University appointed him lecturer, in East African School of Higher Education Studies and Development until 2014.

During his service mainly at Makerere University, he taught and supervised to completion the following students among many others;

1.Rehemah Ndagire – Supervisor of Secondary Schools in Makindye Division, KCCA.
2.Kuluthum Nnabunya Muzaata – Education Officer, KCCA and PhD Candidate.
3.Madinah Nnabaggala – Superitendant of Prisons.
5.Hamza Sendagire – Deputy Headteacher, Nkoma Secondary School, Mbale.
6.Mariam Namirimu – Senior Examinations Officer—Uganda National Examinations Board.
7.Zakaria Herayo-Turyaba–Senior Officer in YMCA.
8.Hadijah Nantongo Mugerwa —- Headmistress, Hawa Secondary School, Wakiso District.
9.Yusufu Kato Kawenja – Director of Studies, Masaka Secondary School.
10.Dr. Zahara Farida Kiggundu—Academic Registrar, KIU Nairobi Campus, Kenya.
11.Nuhu Kawooya—NGO Executive Director.
12.Dr. Amina—Academic Registrar, KIU Western Campus, Bushenyi district.

Dr.Kasenene has also served in the following educational Institutions among others;
1. Member, National Examinations Board between 1977 and 2000.
2. University Council Member – IUIU between 1997 and 2001.
3. University Council Member – Mutesa 1 Royal University, Buganda Kingdom between 2015 and 2018.
4. Islamic Call University College – Vice Chairman Islamic Call University College Council. He played an instrumental role in the registration of this university by the Ministry of Education.
Currently, Dr Kasenene is serving as an Associate Professor at School of Postgraduate Studies and Research at Amoud University, Somaliland in the Horn of Africa since 2016 and Advisor to the President of that Institution.

Service to Islam and the Muslim fraternity
Kawempe Muslim Secondary School was established with help of Uganda Government in 1984 as a special gift to Kawempe Muslim Primary School in appreciatin of its excellent performance in both academic and co-curricular activities for over ten years since 1976 under the headship of Edris Serugo Kasenene, then Headmaster.

In 1983, the UPC government came up with a policy of establishing a secondary school in every constituency in Uganda. By the end of that year, the policy was implemented and in 1984 four secondary schools were established in the four constituencies of Kampala namely; Kampala East, Kampala West, Kampala North and Kampala South. Strong UPC leaders would determine the locations of those secondary schools. Accordingly, Aggrey Awori located Luzira Church of Uganda Primary School to house the secondary school for Kampala East Constituency, Erisa Kironde located Kitebi Primary School to house the secondary school for Kampala West Constituency, Jaberi Bidandi Ssali located Kalinabiri Primary School to house the secondary school for Kampala North Constituency which included Kawempe area at that time and since Kampala south had no strong UPC guy, Mr. Olwata Omara the City Education Officer who was a staunch UPC guy and a Catholic, located Gaba Catholic Primary School to house the Secondary School for Kampala South Constituency.

While interacting with the City Education Officer early in 1984, Edris Serugo Kasenene requested him to negotiate a fifth secondary school for Kawempe Muslim Primary School since the idea of starting a private one had failed. The Education Officer agreed with him and started the process of the acquisition of the school.

On 24th February, the Education Officer Mr Olwata Omara came to school with good news that the government had accepted to establish another secondary school in the constituency at Kawempe Muslim School in honour of its continued good performance.That is how Kampala North Constituency got two government secondary schools at the same time.

The first registration of this secondary school was Kawempe Secondary School omitting the word ‘Muslim’.Kasenene returned it to the Ministry of Education and Sports he demanded for the inclusion of the word Muslim arguing that if it was an appreciation for the good performance of Kawempe Muslim Primary School, the name of the Secondary School should tally with that of the primary school which was Kawempe Muslim Primary School.

Mr. Tom Mugoya, the then Chief Inspector of Schools and his Assistant Mr. Vicent Obyero in charge of registration of secondary schools agreed with him to issue a new registration of the newly established government secondary school in the name of, ‘KAWEMPE MUSLIM SECONDARY SCHOOL’ as it is popularly known today.

On 2nd March 1984, the school was inaugurated at Kawempe Muslim Primary School in its main hall by the then Provincial Educational Officer Mr. Steven Maloba assisted by Mr. Olwata Omara, the then City Education Officer.

Kasenene came up with a delegation that approached Juma Zukuuli Sect at Kyadondo Hill in the same area for a temporary accommodation of the newly established school which later became its permanent seat. Following the above information, some people refer to him as the Founder of Kawempe Muslim Secondary School.

Contribution as a UMSC member of General Assembly and Secretary General

In May 1987, Haji Kasenene was elected Member of Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) General Assembly representing Rakai District for five years and in July, 1996 he was elected Acting Secretary General of UMSC until December 2000. In the following UMSC General Elections that were concluded in the same month, he was elected substantive UMSC Secretary General to serve a seven-year term ending in December, 2007. He was the first Secretary General since to formally hand over office since 1972 when UMSC was started. He was again re-elected Member of UMSC General Assembly in May, 2013 during General Elections representing Central Region to date.

Processing the UMSC Headquarters Old Kampala Land Title

During his tenure as UMSC Secretary General, he worked on the acquisition of the land title of UMSC Headquarters at Old Kampala Hill. It should be noted that since 1972 when President Idi Amin Dada donated 12 acres of land covering Old Kampala Hill to the the Muslims of Uganda to establish their headquarters; the subsequent UMSC leaders had to work on the acquisition of the land title to that effect. At the beginning of his tenure as Acting Secretary General of UMSC in July 1996, Haji Kasenene discovered that the land title had not been acquired. He accordingly approached Dr. Raphael Kamuhangire, the then Commissioner for Antiquities, Ministry of Trade and Tourism seeking acquisition of the land title.

Dr. Kamuhangire showed him records indicating that Plot 1 Old Kampala hill had been gazeted as a Monument of Captain Lugard at the beginning of the last century and that it had to be degazeted to change its use for another purpose.

He started the process and worked closely with the officials of that Ministry including Dr. Kamuhangire. Eventually in 1998 H. E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni wrote to the Minister of Lands directing that UMSC should be given a Land Title of 10 acres instead of 12 as originally stated. However, during process the Captain Lugard Monument and the Flag Spot which had been encircled by the mosque structure became obstacles to the title acquisition.

To solve the problem, as the Secretary General of UMSC, he caused a meeting which sat at the venue that included the then ministers; Hon. Francis Ayume – Minister of Lands, Water and Minerals, Hon. Med Kaggwa – Minister of Presidency and Hon. Moses Ali – Minister of Trade and Tourism to discuss the issue of the monument.

About the issue of the land title, Dr. Kasenene states;
“In that meeting it was resolved to relocate the monument and the flag spot on the same. The resolution was forwarded to the President who had sanctioned the acquisition of the land title by UMSC on that hill for consent. In his response, the President endorsed the relocation of the Captain Lugard House and the flag spot to the lower part of Old Kampala Hill in the two acres to allow smooth construction of the National Mosque since a national mosque was more important than the monument. In the same letter, the President said that the original architectural structure and bricks should be maintained during its relocation showing its originality.
When it came to the question of who would relocate the Lugard House, the Ministry of Trade and Tourism demanded that UMSC should meet the cost of relocating that house and should show commitment to that effect to facilitate the acquisition of the title. After realizing that the relocation of Lugard House was going to be the obstacle of getting the title, the Secretary General wrote of commitment to that effect.
After that commitment, Ministry of Trade, and Tourism accepted to release the land and thereby issued a letter releasing that land to be degazeted for another usage as the law establishes. Short of that, UMSC would not get the land title for that land.
When the Leader of Great Jamahiria of Libya accepted to complete the National Mosque, Haji Kasenene presented the commitment letter of relocating the Lugard House to the Libyan Engineers led by Dr. Muhammad Shukur. They commended his decision which paved way to get the land title and they immediately started the relocation construction work. The Lugard House was reconstructed keeping its originality as directed by the President and was duly handed over to the President’s Office even before the National Mosque was started”.

Construction of the National Mosque

In July 5th 2002, Dr. Kasenene as the Secretary General was among the five man delegation led by H E the Mufti of Uganda Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje which went to meet the Leader of Libya Col Muammar Gadhafi requesting him to complete the National Mosque which had stalled since 1974. Other members included late Sheikh Ahamada Mukasa, Sheikh Habibu Kagimu and Prof. A. Mukwanason Hyuha.
Dr. Kasenene says that;
“We were received by officials of World Muslim Call Society who later introduced us the next day to Col Muammar Gadhafi in his home city of Sirite. After some discussion with the Leader, he accepted to complete the National Mosque and sent us to meet his officials led by Dr Sharif in Tripoli for further discussions and modalities. In Tripoli, Dr Sharif told us that the Leader had designated a team of engineers led by Dr. Shukri who should come with us to assess the project which was under the hands of Concorp Company. It was agreed that vacant site should be handed over to the Libyan engineers from Muslim World Call Society. The Libyan engineers assessed the project and promised to come back to be handed over the vacant site.

This meant that UMSC had to remove Concorp from the site. I led the removal of Concorp and requested Kiwagama Quantity Surveyers of the project to give UMSC a situational Report. I travelled to Nairobi to meet Govan Associates Actecture and Calbro Engineers of the same project to ask them to give UMSC relevant documents of that effect. Also, UMSC contracted Seka Associates and an independent Engineering Firm to assess the stalled project whether it could be continued. In November, 2002 the Mufti of Uganda H.E Sheikh Shaban Mubaje handed the project to the Libyan Engineers. Later, the Libyan Engineers discovered that the work done on the project was shoddy and thus it was condemned. It was removed and a new structure as it stands now was planned. The removal of the stalled structure was met with stiff resistance from a cross section of Muslims. However, Members of the UMSC management stood their ground and work of the new structure went ahead” Dr. Kasenene narrates.

Organising UMSC General Elections of 2000
As The Secretary General, Haji Kasenene played a pivotal role in mobilising all Muslims to participate in the UMSC General Elections of 2000 in which all Muslim groups participated, culminating into the election of Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje as the universally recognised Mufti of Uganda.

Kasenene the husband
Haji Dr. Kasenene is married with three wives namely;
1.Hajat Rehema Nambalirwa – holder of a Bachelor of Education Degree from Makerere University and a former Principal of Kabukunge Primary Teachers’ College, Masaka. She is currently a lecturer at Buganda Royal Institute, Mengo.
2. Ms. Janat Nabuuza holder of a Bachelor of Statistics and Applied Economics Degree from Makerere University and a self-employed.
3.Hajat Mastula Namajjwe – holder of a Bachelor of Arts with Education Degree, a Master of Education Degree all from Makerere University and, a Postgraduate Diploma in Human Resource Management from Uganda Management Institute. She is currently serving as a Deputy Head Mistress at Nabisunsa Girls School.

Kasenene the father
Haji Dr. Kasenene is blessed with 14 children—5 boys and 9 girls. He has educated them as follows;
1. Musa Musazi holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Makerere University and a Masters in Business Administration from ESAMI. He is the Operational Director of Google, Uganda.
2. Sophia Nakate holds a Bachelor of Science in Surveying and has just completed her Masters in Geographic Information Systems (GES) both from Makerere University. She a surveying officer in KCCA.
3. Amina Nassazi holds a Bachelor of Science in Quantity Surveying from Makerere University, and currently undertaking a Master of Science in Construction management in Nairobi University, Kenya.
4. Shafik Baziwe holds a Bachelor of Science in land Economics from Makerere University and works as a valuer in KCCA.
5. Madina Nambajo holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Makerere University. He works with a construction company in Kampala.
6. Sharifah Nanziri holds a Bachelor of Statistics and Applied Economics from Makerere University, and works with Uganda Bureau of Statistics.
7. Abubaker Serugo holds a Bachelors in Computer Science from KIU and he is self-employed.
8. Hadijah Nabawanuka holds a Bachelor of Entrepreneurship and small scale Management from MUBS, Makerere University, and is self-employed.
9. Saidat Kabejja holds a Bachelor of Librarianship and information Science from Makerere University, Kampala and undergoing a Master of information Science in the same University.
10. Rehemah Nakabikwa holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Manipal University, India.
11. Faridah Nalugo holds a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Finance from Makerere University. She is working in Barclays Bank in London, UK and undertaking a Master of Busness in Finance in London.
12. Muhammad Sekyanzi holds a Diploma in Graphics from MTAC.
13. Asma’a Kasenene is a 3rd year undergraduate Pharmacy student at Makerere University.
14. Ilham Kasenene is currently at Kings College Budo in S1.

Conclusion:
I think you have read all the contributions Dr. Kasenene has rendered to Islam and the Muslim fraternity in Uganda, that is as an educationist, an educator, acquisition of the UMSC Headquarters land title, construction of the national Mosque, education of his children and organising universal elections; no wonder qualifies him to be a Muslim hero though unsung.

A three year old girl raped in India during Ramadan

A three year old girl from Kashmir, a girl in a diaper was raped by a 23-year-old young man. He took her behind the walls offered her sweets. Played with her innocence just to burn his lust. Took off her clothes like wrapper, raped her brutally. She shouted, screamed for help. blood oozing out of her mouth, not able to stand, gently. We’ve reached dark depths. A girl is not safe anymore not even behind the walls of the home.

All limits of monstrosity have transcended. Freedom of each girl is at stake. We are in deep slumber, need to awake. Piles if FIR Sheets, still culprits roam free. Victims in deep sleep(dead) their souls screaming for justice. But where is justice? Holding candles marches, blockage of roads, shops. Shouting slogans of justice. But where is the justice? Not even a single news channel and media is showing Aiman’s story, what is this? Where is international media? Busy making news of rich people?

Here go the words of her Father: “Aiman was with her uncle. He went to other sisters of Aiman, in the mean time, the local guy came and offered sweets or chewing gum to Aiman and picked her up in his lap, Aiman being an innocent girl went with the guy, it was iftar time. I came home asked Aiman’s mother where is she, mother said she was with her uncle. They started looking for Aiman, they asked nearby neighbors whether she is playing at their homes, by the 8’O clock they started shouting Aiman. Aiman everywhere in the whole village, then there is a school we heard a silent voice coming from there, we went to the school’s backside where there was a bathroom and I saw Aiman bleeding while the guy runs away in dark, we couldn’t see his face. We took Aiman to home, she said stammeringly “BABA KHOON” – father my blood’

Scientist proved Fasting during Ramadan can prevent cancer

Japanese Nobel Laureate Joshinori Ohsumi

Japanese Nobel Laureate Joshinori Ohsumi shows how the body is cleansed from unnecessary cells during RamadanThe Japanese scientist Joshinori Ohsumi has discovered the program called Otofazhoni.It is the purification of the body from unsightly cells. Cleaning that happens during the eager and hungry stay.Getting genetic mutations, cancer and nonautical diseases remain hungry. It is seen that they have been healed.The Japanese scholar has confirmed his thesis that staying without food and drink.Help in the treatment of neurological diseases and cancer

For this discovery has won the Nobel Prize for Medicine. Transmitted Yeniakit.Ohsum said that after three days of fasting the immune system has resulted in renewal. And this has confirmed that fasting of Muslims is the most appropriate program. Although the cells are not similar, their actions have them. They fill their wraps in special bags (otofagozomet), then load them into containers . Some of them are destroyed and some recycle they regain

So this has resulted in aging of the old age. The phase is activated even more during fasting, hunger, and stress. With this cell, it starts to produce its energy with its own possibilities. Starting with cleaning and digging its waste and pathogenic bacteria. Among other scientists Joshinori Ohsumi said that if during the year. A month without stopping pursuing this regime, the results are spectacular. This regime of abstaining from food and drink, which fights diseases, is part of the Islamic religion.

The Muslim Onion farmer who built a school at Kabiji

Musa Mukasa Katungulu was born in 1881 in Birongo – Singo

By Haji Nsereko Mutumba

Musa Mukasa Katungulu was born in 1881 in Birongo – Singo

His father was Badiru Muganga of Njonge clan. His mother was Mwajibu from Masaka. She was a sister to Abdallah Jawaali the father of Hajji Muhammad Kitatta of Kyanjo and Idi Basajjabalaba of Mbarara.

The day Musa Mukasa was born was the day on which his father Muganga died after being attacked by a wild animal while hunting. He was thus named Musa Mukasa ‘Kitezi’ in respect of his father’s passion for hunting.

Childhood

Following the death of his father, Musa Mukasa was taken by Muwalimu Musa Nkatusi to Kanywa from where he learnt Islam and became a very good Muadhin.

When Musa became a youth, his elder brother Laaliyo who was living in Luwawulo – Kalisizo wanted to take him away from Muwalimu Musa Nkatusi. However, Muwalimu Nkatusi refused to let go of Musa Mukasa fearing that if he stayed with Laaliyo who was a none Muslim, he would abandon Islam.

Laaliyo took the matter to Buwunga Sub-County Chief who ruled that Musa Mukasa should go with his brother.

Laaliyo took Musa to Serinya in Kibinge where he introduced him to more three brothers of him. These were; Amuli, Kasibaganye and Eleneewo.

Laaliyo convened a meeting of all the brothers and resolved that they would not make him leave Islam. This was in respect of his father who was a Muslim. He took him to Prince Nuhu Mbogo and briefed him about Musa Mukasa’s situation. Prince Mbogo put Musa Mukasa under his care. While under the Prince, Musa had the opportunity to study Islam. This is where he met Muwalimu Abdallah Zaake Jamba who taught him the Quran in 1907.

When Zayidi Kamulali the Muwalimu to the Kabaka’s Chief Amuli Kakembo of Mbuliire started his own family, the chief needed another Muwalimu/Imam.

He went back to Prince Mbogo and requested him for a new personal Imam/Muwalimu.

The Prince gave him Musa Mukasa, who went to Mbuliire to serve Chief Amuli Kakembo as a family Imam.

While in Mbuliire, Musa met Muwalimu Saadi Musoke of Kawoko and Muwalimu Asumani Byayi of Kibengo.

Amuli Kakembo gave Musa a large piece of land on which he grew onions (obutungulu), which he used to sell to Indians. This earned him the name ‘Katungulu’.

In Mbuliire, Musa together with Nyamayaalwo established a big Madarasa where he taught; Asumani Kasujja (the father of Haji Mahabuuba Ssemakalu, Aziz Kasuja, Faazili Kasuja etc) and Twayibu Ssemwanga among others.

Musa became very rich from onion farming and migrated to Kabigi where he had bought a piece of land.

He built a school in Kabigi in 1935. Many prominent Sheikhs, Mullahs (bawalimu) and many Muslims went through this school. It did a lot in propagating Islam and empowering Muslims.

Among those who went through Muwalimu Musa Mukasa’s school are;

· Sheikh Muhammad Ssemakula – former acting Mufti of Uganda

· Sheikh Twaibu Mukuye – Former Deputy Mufti of Uganda

· Sheikh Ali Kivumbi – Former Deputy Mufti of Uganda

· Sheikh Musa Abdul Hamiid Mukasa

· Sheikh Habiibu Kagimu – prominent business personality

· SheikhTwaha Luyimbaazi Katungulu

· Sheikh Hamiidu Kawooya

· Sheikh Abdunoor Ddamulira

· Shiekh Hamiidu Sserwadda

· Sheikh Muhammad Ndugga

· Sheikh Abdul Wahiidi Musisi

· Sheikh Haamidu Zaamunyu

· Sheikh Muhamuudu Kigozi

· Sheikh Nasser Naserenga

· Sheikh Ibrahim Ssebbaga

· Haji Asumani Jjunju etc

Musa Mukasa also bought land in different places and donated it to needy Muslims and non Muslims. For example he bought a mile of land in Kyangabatanyi which he used to give to Muslim converts. Each person used to get between 5 to 10 acres.

He educated his children and grand children who have also contributed a lot to Islam in Uganda.

His grand children include Shk. Ali Kivumbi, Shk. Yusuf Ssonko Katungulu, Abdu Swamadu Kaboggoza and Shk. Musa Abdul Hamiid Katungulu among others.

Musa Mukasa died on October 13th 1971 at the age of 90. He fathered 60 children, and at the time of his death, 32 were still alive.

Muwalimu Musa Mukasa Katungulu did not only convert many into Islam; he donated free land to the converts and taught them Islam, thereby fulfilling Surat Bakara 2:3 of the Holy Quran in which Allah praises those who give to charity.

In Islam, education or seeking knowledge is paramount. By learning Islam himself and teaching it to many people including his own children and grand children who eventually became very prominent personalities in Islam and the entire nation, Muwalimu Musa Mukasa fulfilled Surat Al Alaq 96:1 of the Holy Quran in which Allah commanded Prophet Muhammad PBUH to read.

This makes him a Muslim hero though unsung.

Pope admits Dec. 25 was not Christ’s birthday

A brother posted a photo of a newspaper saying “Pope Benedict: Jesus wasnt born of Dec. 25” it surprised me so i search it in the internet and then i found out that it is true.

The present Pope released his newest book that also debunks Christmas myths.

FINALLY, after hundred of years on deceiving its members by following a false tradition, the Pope admits DEC. 25 was not the birth date of Christ, he also said that Christ born several years before 1 A.D, meaning to say, the creator of the Christian calendar that we use today committed a big mistake, as he claim.
Here are some news articles about it (for more, you can search it in your favorite search engine):

Pope Benedict XVI has a new book coming out this week in which he offers a closer look at the early life of Jesus, including his birth. The book shines a light on many Christmas myths Christians believe to be true, but in fact are not historically accurate.

Biblical fact vs. tradition
While some people may consider the Pope’s book controversial as it steps on traditional Christmas toes, most of the information he shares is not new. In fact, if you take the time to do a Bible study on the birth of Jesus, the answers are there.

For instance, the Pope points out that evidence in the Gospels does not support the picture of animals and cattle around the baby Jesus in his manger; nor does it support angels singing about the birth of Christ. Luke 2:7 confirms Jesus was placed in a manger or feeding trough when he was born. Because it was a feeding trough people have assumed animals were there. And in verse 8 we are told that the shepherds in that region saw an angel, who announced to them not to be afraid and offers directions as to where to find the baby. The announcement was not sung.

“But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: Today a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord, was born for you in the city of David. This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in cloth and lying in a feeding trough.

Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people He favors!'” (Luke 2:8-14 HCSB).

Is the Pope the next Grinch?
The Pope’s purpose in writing this book is not so much to debunk Christmas, but:
“The pope was not so much aiming to debunk myths as trying to show that the Jesus depicted in the Gospels is a real historical figure, who walked on earth and talked to people like anyone else.” — Alessandro Speciale: Vatican correspondent for Religion News

December 25
A Bible study on the early church does not mention celebration of the birth of Christ. The date December 25 stirs up a bit of controversy as well as it is tied to a pagan Roman holiday that honored their god Saturn. No one knows what day Jesus was born, but the Western Church in Rome decided on December 25, while the Eastern Church picked January 6. Eventually the time frame between the two dates became known as the “12 Days of Christmas.”

Back to the Bible
To know whether or not your Christmas traditions are biblical, go back to the Bible. You may be surprised by what you learn if you take time to study Christ’s birth. Just take a look at the visit from the wise men. They found Mary and the child in a house…not a stable.

source: examiner.com

______________________________

The ‘mistake’ was made by a sixth century monk known as Dionysius Exiguus or in English Dennis the Small, the 85-year-old pontiff claims in the book ‘Jesus of Nazareth: The Infancy Narratives’, published on Wednesday.

“The calculation of the beginning of our calendar – based on the birth of Jesus – was made by Dionysius Exiguus, who made a mistake in his calculations by several years,” the Pope writes in the book, which went on sale around the world with an initial print run of a million copies.

“The actual date of Jesus’s birth was several years before.”

The assertion that the Christian calendar is based on a false premise is not new – many historians believe that Christ was born sometime between 7BC and 2BC.

But the fact that doubts over one of the keystones of Christian tradition have been raised by the leader of the world’s one billion Catholics is striking.

Dennis the Small, who was born in Eastern Europe, is credited with being the “inventor” of the modern calendar and the concept of the Anno Domini era.

He drew up the new system in part to distance it from the calendar in use at the time, which was based on the years since the reign of the Roman emperor Diocletian.

The emperor had persecuted Christians, so there was good reason to expunge him from the new dating system in favour of one inspired by the birth of Christ.

The monk’s calendar became widely accepted in Europe after it was adopted by the Venerable Bede, the historian-monk, to date the events that he recounted in his Ecclesiastical History of the English People, which he completed in AD 731.

But exactly how Dennis calculated the year of Christ’s birth is not clear and the Pope’s claim that he made a mistake is a view shared by many scholars.

The Bible does not specify a date for the birth of Christ. The monk instead appears to have based his calculations on vague references to Jesus’s age at the start of his ministry and the fact that he was baptised in the reign of the emperor Tiberius.
Christ’s birth date is not the only controversy raised by the Pope in his new book – he also said that contrary to the traditional Nativity scene, there were no oxen, donkeys or other animals at Jesus’s birth.

He also weighs in on the debate over Christ’s birthplace, rejecting arguments by some scholars that he was born in Nazareth rather than Bethlehem.

John Barton, Professor of the Interpretation of the Holy Scripture at Oriel College, Oxford University, said most academics agreed with the Pope that the Christian calendar was wrong and that Jesus was born several years earlier than commonly thought, probably between 6BC and 4BC.

“There is no reference to when he was born in the Bible – all we know is that he was born in the reign of Herod the Great, who died before 1AD,” he told The Daily Telegraph. “It’s been surmised for a very long time that Jesus was born before 1AD – no one knows for sure.”

The idea that Christ was born on Dec 25 also has no basis in historical fact. “We don’t even know which season he was born in. The whole idea of celebrating his birth during the darkest part of the year is probably linked to pagan traditions and the winter solstice.”

source: telegraph.co.uk

______________________________

Pope Benedict XVI has opened the way to an historic opportunity that might benefit much of humankind and save the rest of us from enduring another eight weeks of seasonal disorder syndrome, an affliction that starts with the first October Christmas carol and which I believe is more widespread than people want to admit.

The Pope has published the third in a trilogy of works dealing with the life of Jesus. Jesus of Nazareth: The Infancy Narratives completes a project the 85-year-old Pope took up after being elected pontiff in 2005. The first two books were big sellers in Italy (and presumably among Catholics elsewhere as well). The latest volume reportedly has an initial printing of one milllion, and hit bookshelves around the world on Wednesday.

The headline issue is the Pope’s acknowledgement that Jesus wasn’t born in the year everyone thinks he was. I’m not sure this is really news; as a certified non-pious Canadian who gets sleepy just thinking about entering a church, I thought it was generally known that historians had long ago sorted out that the dates were off by a few years. Nonetheless, it’s viewed as significant that the Pope would actually say so in print. According to the book, a monk known as Dionysius Exiguus (which translates as Dennis the Small) got the dates wrong when he set out to invent a new calendar about 1500 years ago.

“The calculation of the beginning of our calendar – based on the birth of Jesus – was made by Dionysius Exiguus, who made a mistake in his calculations by several years,” the Pope says. “The actual date of Jesus’s birth was several years before.”

The Pope maintains Jesus was born in a stable, as commonly assumed, though there might not have been donkeys, camels, oxen or other critters present. “There is no mention of animals in the Gospels,” he writes. And he insists Mary was a virgin. But it wasn’t on Dec. 25, a date that was adopted later, perhaps linked to some rituals related to the winter solstice.

Apart from whatever religious significance this may involve, it offers the Church an opportunity to isolate its annual celebration of Jesus’ birth from the overdone commercial orgy that’s known as Christmas. Pick another date — one the Vatican thinks might be more historically accurate, or at least no less inaccurate — and move the religious celebration accordingly, while leaving Dec. 25 to the crass materialists.

Not that the orgy would stop, but it would no longer inspire the tedious annual eruptions of complaint from underoccupied cranks, atheists and misguided zealots upset that trees should appear in schools, mangers should turn up on lawns and other insults to strict secularism should be induced on the unwilling. People could give one another gifts without someone complaining about it.

The prayers that are an offence to the ears of determined non-prayers could be moved to another day of the year, when they could be delivered by consenting adults outside the hearing of the temporally fixated. Dec. 25 would be just another holiday that no one could beef about (unless they just don’t like holidays), while Christmas in March (or whenever) would simply be a religious symbol marked by those who choose to, without bothering those who don’t, and free of the annoyance and excess of the annual two-month build-up.

And who knows, once it was just another long weekend, maybe some of the excess would diminish. Which I suspect would be a welcome change to a lot of people.
source: fullcomment.nationalpost.com

Do you NOW BELIEVE WHAT THE INC SAYS ABOUT CHRISTMAS?

NOTE: This post does not made to hurt the feelings of our Catholic friends and to other Christmas celebrators, this is made as an EYE OPENER to those people who really wanted the TRUTH.

Be fair to Muslims – UMSC tells government

The Spokesperson of Uganda Muslim Supreme Council Haji Nsereko Mutumba has accused the NRM government of being unfair to Muslims when it comes to public service appointments.

Haji Nsereko Mutumba was speaking today during a press briefing held at the UMSC headquarters Old Kampala.

Haji Mutumba singled out the Ministry of Ethics and Integrity, the Judiciary, Ambassadors, CAOs, KCCA, Municipal Town Clerks, Operation Wealth Creation, Public Corporations and States Enterprises and Accounting Officers for central government votes as the leading institutions in discrimination against Muslims.

He wondered how the ministry of ethics and integrity serves Muslim interests when the Minister, Permanent Secretary, legal Officers, the Director and the Senior Presidential adviser on Religious Affairs are non Muslims.

Out of 177 judges, magistrates, registrars etc, there are only five Muslims, Haji Mutumba displayed evidence showing that there are only 5 Muslims.

When it comes to the 141 accounting officers for central government votes, there is only one Muslim; Asuman Lukwago.

He noted that according to media reports, the would be second Muslim, Haji Yunus Kakande who was appointed on the directive of the President is being fought.

“How can you refuse to abide by a presidential directive? Who are you? Is it because the appointee is a Muslim?” Haji Mutumba wondered.

Regarding the Presidential pledges, Haji Nsereko Mutumba urged President Museveni to fulfil the pledges he made to Muslims, like he has done for other religions.

He mentioned the President’s pledge to renovate the national Mosque and the shs 50 million pledge to the UMSC secretariat for youth and Women.

“Like Namugongo, the National Mosque is also a gazetted tourist attraction cite which receives over 50 tourists per day” Haji Mutumba said.

The other areas cited by Haji Nsereko Mutumba as muslim unfriendly are as follows:

· Out of the 65 heads of Public Corporations and States Enterprises, only two are Muslims

· Out of the 128 CAOs, there are only 6 Muslims

· Out of the 35 Ugandan Ambassadors, only 2 are Muslims.

· None of the KCCA Directors and Deputy Directors is a Muslim.

Haji Mutumba said that this state of affairs has given some Muslims an impression that the NRM government does not care about them, yet they have always voted it into power.

“Besides, like other Ugandans, Ugandan Muslims deserve to be treated fairly when it comes to sharing the national cake and access to justice” Haji Nsereko Mutumba noted.

He said that Muslims feel let down by the government that they have supported since the 1980s.

Haji Nsereko Mutumba however gave thumbs up to President Museveni for increasing the number of Muslim RDCs and Deputy RDCs to 24.

“This is a sign that he had our cry” Haji Mutumba said.

He also lauded President Museveni for appointing Haji Yunus Kakande as Secretary, Office of the President, noting that Haji Kakande is a dedicated civil servant.

Office of Public Relations

Uganda Muslim Supreme Council

Tel: 0701409504 or 0772409504

Email: pro_umsc@yahoo.com

How to win your wife’s Love…?

How you can keep up your wife’s Love:

01. Make her feel secure, don’t threaten her with divorce.

02. Give sincere Salaams.

03. Treat her gently, like a fragile vessel.

04. Advise in private, at the best time, in the best way and atmosphere.

05. Be generous with her.

06. Warm the seat for her, you will warm her heart.

07. Avoid anger, be in Wudhu at all times.

08. Look good and smell great for your wife.

09. Don’t be rigid or harsh-hearted or you will be broken.
10. Be a good listener.

11. Yes for flattery. No for arguing.

12. Call your wife with the best names, cute nicknames, and names she loves to hear.

13. A pleasant surprise.

14. Preserve and guard the tongue.

15. Expect, accept, and overlook her shortcomings.

16. Give sincere compliments.

17. Encourage her to keep good relations with her family.

18. Speak of the topic of her interest.

19. Express to her relatives, how wonderful she is.

20. Give each other gifts.

21. Get rid of routine, surprise her.

22. Have a good opinion of each other.

23. Have good manners, overlook small things, don’t nitpick.

24. Add a drop of patience, increase during pregnancy, menses.

25. Expect and respect her jealously.

26. Be humble.

27. Sacrifice your happiness for hers.

28. Help at home, with housework.

29. Help her love your relatives, but do not try to force her.

30. Let her know that she is the ideal wife for you.

31. Remember your wife in Duaa.

32. Leave the past for Allah, do not dwell on, dig into, or bring it up.

33. Do not act as if you are doing her a favor by working or providing, Allah is the Provider, the husband is the carrier of the sustenance to the family.

34. Take Shaitan as your enemy, not your wife.
35. Put food in your wife’s mouth.

36. Treat your wife like she is the most precious pearl that you want to protect.

37. Show her your smile.

38. Do not ignore the small things, deal with them before they be come big.

39. Avoid being harsh-hearted.

40. Respect and show that you appreciate her thinking.

41. Help her to find and build her inner strengths and skills.

42. Respect that she might not be in mood for intimacy, stay within Halaal boundaries.

43. Help her take care of the children.

44. Give her gifts with your tongue, be an artist with your compliments.

45. Sit down and eat meals together.

46. Let her know that you will be traveling or returning from travel, give her sufficient notice.

47. Don’t leave home in anger.

48. Maintain the secrecy and privacy of the home.

49. Encourage each other in worship.

50. Respect and fulfill her rights upon you.

51. Live with her in kindness, goodness, fairness in good and bad times.

52. Kiss your wife, foreplay, don’t jump on her like a bull.

53. Keep disputes between the two of you, don’t take it outside.

54. Show care for her health and well-being.

55. Remember you are not always right or perfect yourself.

56. Share your happiness and sadness with her.

57. Have mercy for her weaknesses.

58. Be a firm support for her to lean on.

59. Accept her as is, she is a package deal.

60. Have a good intention for her.

61. Cook a dish for her.

62. Designate a nice, clean, spacious area in your home for the two of you to pray at night whenever you can.

63. Women love flowers. Make a trail of them on the floor leading to the gift you made for her.

64. Give her a nice massage when she least expects it.

65. Send your wife a text message out of the blue with a message of love.

66. Send your wife an email without a reason.

67. Go out on a date or a get-away for the weekend in a nice location, preferably without kids.

68. Do something for your wife’s family, whether it is a gift, or a chat with her teen brother who needs mentoring, or whatever. It will get you lots of brownie points.

69. Do not keep reminding and demanding your rights all the time.

70. Shop groceries for her and call her from the store and ask her what she needs for the home, for herself or for her to give to people as gifts.

71. Ask her if she would like to invite her female friends over for ladies only get together and arrange for the dinner.

72. Ask her to send gifts to her parents and siblings.

73. Help her parents pay off debt. Send her poor relatives some money.

74. Write love notes or poems and place them in the book she’s been reading.

75. If she tells you something she had just learned from the Qur’an or Hadith, do not dismiss her or ridicule her effort, instead listen to her and take her word.

76. Plant her a kitchen garden with all kind of herbs she needs for cooking.

77. Update her PC or laptop with a new one or get her a new mobile phone.

78. Learn to do a special massage technique and surprise her with your new expertise.

79. Teach your children to respect and honor their mother.

80. Be humorous with her when she makes a mistake in the kitchen (like when she put too much salt or burnt her baking).

Muslims shouldnt blindly defend Saudi over Khashoggi’s murder!

BY DR. IBRAHIM SENDAGIRE VIA UMBS FORUM

We should appreciate that gruesome murder of one soul can not be set aside and forgotten in the name of political convenience or balancing scores.Fifteen assassins sent on private jets to kill a helpless Khashoggi who had entered the Saudi Arabia Consulate in Instabul, Turkey. It is like dream. It sounds like a Chuck Norris or James Bond film. The only difference is that in the film they would not behead an unarmed victim. If this Khasshogi murder was executed in a foreign country, then one con not help but wonder how many more “Khashoggis” have been killed on home soil, Saudi Arabia.

Jamal Khashoggi

By the way we are talking of Muslim leaders here not Christians or Jews. We should not be debating on who has the higher moral ground. We are discussing a cold blood murder of a Muslim sanctioned at the highest level by a fellow Muslim. The bar must be lifted higher for Muslims than for non-Muslims. And not mere Muslims like myself, we are talking of Muslims who are the custodians of the two holy Mosques. I think this fact must sink in our minds. The cistodians of the two holy mosques should not have even the slightest connection to a gruesome murder. Even in the wildest of dreams one would not have expected that those leaders could send a team of assassins, who tortured a man, cut off his fingers, beheaded him, dismembered his body and then put it in diplomatic bags and flew it out of Turkey. What kind of terrorism can this one be? It actually reduces other terrorist atrocities to almost a joke. These kind of things are done by drug barons somewhere in Colombia or Mexico but not in Turkey or Saudi Arabia. They even sent a body double to confuse those who would follow in their tracks. They switched of the cameras at the consulate so that they accomplish their heinous crime with no trace but the ALMIGHTY ALLAH was above their plans. ALLAH’s plan was better than their wicked plans. There is a voice recording in the hands of the Turkish investigators. There are also visual recordings of the 15 hit-men at least outside the Saudi Consulate. It is already known how they came in to Turkey and how they exited Turkey. Notable among the assassin was the close aide to MBS. praise be to ALLAH that all this has been uncovered in a short time given the fact that these assassins and their associates have immunity cover.

Why defend murderers in the name of balancing scores? Khashoggi’s murder was just the tipping point of the mountain of criminal activities sanctioned by the “guided” leaders of this holy land. We need no reminders of some of the following atrocities that stare us in the face:

1. The violent murders of some members of the royal family in order to grab their wealth and increase the influence and power of just one man MBS.

2. The seizure of some of the riches of the members of the royal family in exchange for their freedom. The pretext was to fight corruption. But we all know this is not true. Fighting corruption could have been done in a more transparent way using established institutions, not thru kidnapping and closing off kins/royals in a hotel and forcing/torturing them in to signing off their wealth in order to buy their freedom.

3. The starving of Muslims in Yemen, or rather a country called Yemen in the name of pleasing the crusaders that one is fighting terrorism. How then should one blame non-Muslim leaders for torturing Muslims in the name fighting terrorism?

4. The indiscriminate bombing of Yemeni on the pretext of keeping out Houthi rebels and Shia Iran is inexcusable. This also is against the background that several Muslim nations refused to support Saudi Arabia in their endeavor of showing military might in the middle East. But no body needs this show of might. If anything Israel and Iran knows the strength of Saudi Arabia. When the Saudi’s military Arsenal runs dry then the real political actors will come on the scene to vanquish these masqueraders with their political gimmicks.

5. The land, air and sea blockade imposed on brotherly Qatar for refusing to join a senseless and needless war is another pathetic strategy employed by the war mongers, MBS and his crownies. If you weaken one of your own, who will come to your rescue when you need help?

8. The murder of Muslim Pilgrims in Minna which mainly targeted pilgrims from Iran. This can and will never be forgotten by those who truelly understand Islam. ALLAH’s visitors are on duty performing the 5th pillar of Islam, and then one King decides to receive visitors at his Mina palace which caused a stampede resulting in the deaths of hundreds of pilgrims. ALLAH receives visitors and the king also receives visitors??? Where have we put our faith? Does the king want to equate himself to ALLAH, the most high?? There are eleven other months in which the king and royals can hold their functions. But their impunity and disregard to Islamic practices and rituals can only be paid well by ALLAH THE ALMIGHTY! And I think many can agree with me that the ALMIGHTY has started paying back these arrogant leaders of Saudi Arabia.

The way they tried to cover up the gruesome murder of Jamal Khasshogi only exposed them as rogue murderers. And each day that passes portrays them as more and more of a wicked lot. They can never come out of this mess except by ALLAH’s will. Saudi Arabia would be better served and her image protected if the current King and Crown Prince would abdicate throne or be forced out of leadership by the people of Saudi Arabia.

May the soul of Jamal Khasshoggi rest in eternal peace. AMEEN!!! And may the ALMIGHTY ALLAH lower the status of his murderers and those who sanctioned the murder! AMEEN!!!

The Aftermath of the ’Khashoggian’ Crisis

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman and Jamal Khashoggi

Oh World! Don’t I know you ? I have not lived all these years of my life in blindness !!!

The American Press cries, ‘Khashoggi‘! Has the world forgotten the prisons of Abu Ghraib, Guantanamo, Afghanistan, Iraq and Vietnam where more than four million ‘Khashoggis’ have been tortured and killed?

The British Press cries, ‘Khashoggi’ ! Has it forgotten the more than 10 ‘Khashoggies’ assassinated on their land? And that it backed the Jews who murdered over 10,000 ‘Khashoggis’ in the illegal occupation of Palestine ?

The European Media cries, ’Khashoggi’! Have they forgotten that they facilitated the Serbs’ invasion of Bosnia and Herzegovina killing over half a million ‘Khashoggis’?

The Lebanese, Iraqi, Syrian, Iranian, and Turkish Media cry, ‘Khashoggi’ ! Have they forgetten the over two million ‘Khashoggis’ that were executed and raped while being locked up in their prisons?

Suddenly, the whole world and everyone in it has changed and become concerned !!!

The number of’ Khashoggis’ who were killed in the wars launched by the West during the last ten years are more than ten million !
And yet, we have not seen the world condemning the actions, demanding that the countries involved to be held accountable, or to be fined financially or at the least be made to issue an official apology !

BUT when it comes to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,

Hearts, Morals and even Equations change-
10 million Khashoggis of my country = one Khashoggi of Saudi???

This is truly phenomenal on the scales of Injustice, Malice and Hatred !

UMSC holds planning meeting on the operationalisation of regional structures

UMSC held a planning meeting yesterday on the operationalisation of regional Muslim administrations at the UMSC Headquarters Old Kampala.

The meeting was officially opened by the UMSC Secretary General Hon. Ramadhan Mugalu and closed by the Deputy Mufti H.E Shk. Abdallah Semambo.

Muslim leaders including District Kadhis, Muslim District Chairmen, Muslim District Secretaries, Executive Committee members, members of General Assembly from all the 66 Muslim Districts attended the meeting.

In his opening remarks, Hon. Mugalu explained why the regional structures are relevant, noting that about 15 years ago, UMSC had only 6000 Mosques compared to the current 12600 registered Mosques.

In 2016, the UMSC General Assembly resolved that in order to serve Muslims better, UMSC regional administrations should be operationalised and also resolved that they should be increased from the original five to nine.

“This will take services nearer to the people and decongest the UMSC headquarters at Old Kampala” Hon. Mugalu said.

He further said regional administrations will also ensure balance of power as well as serving as grooming ground for Muslim leaders.

The Secretary General said that, once regional administrations are operational, Currently, the headquarters has embarked on making policies governing various departments of the council e.g. Education, Zakat, Hijja&Umra, Health, Awqaf, wealth creation program under social services secretariat and women emancipation and youth empowerment under the secretary for women and youths.

In the closing remarks, the Deputy Mufti commended members of the UMSC national steering Committee on the operationalisation of the regional Muslim governance for their coordination and mobilisation work.

The committee is chaired by Haji Kayongo Ahmed Nyago who is also the Chairman of the UMSC Electoral Commission.

The Deputy Mufti urged Muslim leaders at all levels to mobilize Muslims in support of the regional structures, saying that once operational, they will improve UMSC service delivery.

“The success of the regional administrations depends on you” said Shk. Semambo.

The steering committee chairman Haji Kayongo Ahmed Nyago said the success of the regional administrations will also depend on the activeness of the regional Kadhis.

He called upon all Muslims to embrace the regional structures noting that they are fully in line with article 2 of the UMSC constitution.

Haji Nsereko Mutumba

Public Relations Officer

Uganda Muslim Supreme Council

Tel: 0701409504 or 0772409504

Email: pro_umsc@yahoo.com

THE MUSLIM COMMUNITY DEMANDS AN AUDIT ON THE ARREST AND PROSECUTION OF MUSLIMS ON TERROR CHARGES

soldiers beating Mr Yusuf Kawooya before his brutal arrest on October 18 in Kampala. COURTESY PHOTO

In a number of instances the UN General Assembly has strongly condemned all forms and manifestations of terrorism as constitut­ing one of the most serious threats to international peace and security. It is a duty of the States, particularly through their security agencies, to protect all individuals within their jurisdictions from terrorism, as part of their human rights obli­gations in order to guarantee the right to life, the right to security and other human rights and fundamental freedoms. This requires that they adopt a comprehen­sive approach to countering terrorism, with a particular focus on preventing and countering violent extremism and radicalization that lead to terrorism, while upholding human rights and the rule of law.

The effectiveness and legitimacy of a State’s actions against terrorism will always be undermined once it uses its power in vio­lation of international human rights standards, through its security agencies or justice system. As the State plays a central role in countering terrorism, it is predominantly crucial that the various duty bearers are held accountable for their actions in order to ensure legitimacy, confidence, trust and support from the public. The State ought to firmly reject any tendencies for the identification of terrorism with a particular religious affiliation.

It should be noted that those who employ terrorism, regardless of their specific secular or religious objectives, strive to subvert the rule of law and effect change through violence and fear. They share the misguided belief that killing, kidnapping, extorting, robbing, or wreaking havoc to terrorize people are legitimate forms of political action and this has nothing to do with Islamic teaching or upbringing. Islam as a religion strongly prohibits terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. The Quran emphasizes the sanctity of human life (5:32), respect for human dignity (17:70), acceptance of plurality (5:48, 11:118), peaceful co-existence with all (60:8-9), justice (4:135, 5:8), human brotherhood (49:13), and Mercy (21:107).

Unfortunately, the African continent has become a new frontier for terrorism where the concept of Islamic affiliation is even more frequently alluded to. However, without further study – be it econometric or case studies – one cannot logically conclude that Islamic affiliation is a causal factor of terrorism on the basis of some perceived correlation with an increased number of Muslim suspects who are arbitrarily arrested.

We have witnessed many arrests of a number of Muslim suspects in Uganda, especially in the aftermath of the murder of AIGP Andrew Felix Kaweesi, Suzan Magara, Shiekh Kiggundu, and ASP Muhammad Kirumira, among others. Similar arrests were made in other incidents like when Usafi mosque was raided leading to the detention of several Muslim men, women, and children; all on counts of terrorism and child trafficking.

These arrests are in most cases punctuated with instances of torture. Though compensation has been awarded, the process of litigating to recover the compensation is too expensive for the victims. The realizations of proceeds of compensation also takes years. There is a need for a quicker compensation regime for tortured victims. Most of these victims are shunned by society. However, little is done to rehabilitate and re integrate them back in the society even those who are acquitted and those whose charges are withdrawn.

There is a growing concern as to why Muslims represent the vast majority of persons arrested under charges of terrorism. Many media reports and policy statements also tend to suggest that Islamic terrorism is an emerging threat in the country. But these allegations are often not supported by corresponding quantitative evidence and it has been inevitable for the general public to associate Islam with terrorism or consider persons with a Muslim background as terrorists. On the other hand, Muslims have a general feeling that they are being targeted and that there is a deliberate effort to “Islamize” terrorism whenever the causal factors cannot be determined. It is however worrying that the main stream human rights civil society organizations (local and international), and the international community have not strongly condemned such excesses especially when perpetuated by the State organs with impunity.

The War on Terror is seemingly tackled as a battle of religions rather than of ideas. On the contrary, modern terrorism is trans-boundary and can easily exploit anyone to serve a violent political vision of establishing terrorism or rebellion. It distorts the idea of jihad into a call for murder against those they regard as apostates or unbelievers – including Christians, Jews, Hindus, other religious traditions, and all Muslims who disagree with them. This level of distortion and persecution is largely possible because there is a poorly funded Muslim civil society by many development partners. The counterterrorism strategies must evolve to strengthen the weak structures among Muslim actors.

The effectiveness, legitimacy, and approval of the state’s action against ter­rorism will be undermined if there is poor involvement of those mostly affected and real or perceived lack of accountability. Mutual engagement can help to avoid practices like parading of suspects before the media considering the likely effects on many parties. In most cases, there has not been any effort taken to clear the tainted public image of these suspects upon withdrawal of charges preferred against them or on acquittal. Worse still, there is no deliberate effort or policy to re-integrate them back into communities, counsel their family members (women, children and close relatives) or even provide post-traumatic rehabilitation. Many lose their sources of income, witness shunning of their businesses, and undergo immeasurable setbacks in their social life.

At times, the investigation and prosecution of terrorism-related criminal cases, includ­ing those of incitement to and recruitment into terrorism, seem not to be based on spe­cific evidence. There is little guarantee of due process and fair trials; compliance with the absolute prohibition of torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treat­ment or punishment; as well as the right to life, liberty and security. The judiciary has been on many occasions reluctant in granting bail to many Muslims suspected of involvement in terrorist activities. Some sheikhs have even been convicted for life imprisonment on account of their utterances that were preferred as verbal terrorism. This is increasingly creating a disgruntled generation which may want to revenge against the atrocities committed on them and their parents. There is urgent need to devise new approaches consisting of locally-tailored and community-driven initiatives.

Whereas the efforts to fight terrorism like introduction of cameras, recruitment of LDUs, uprooting of Kawukuumi (bad elements) from Uganda Police Force are commendable, we think that efforts should draw on partnerships among a wide range of actors, beyond traditional security practitioners, to include a variety of other public authorities, civil society organizations, busi­nesses and the media. There is need to specifically work with the weak Muslim civil society, religious leaders, and the general Muslim community which generally feels targeted. We hope to see a more deliberate action by the State to address the concerns raised in regard to this terrorism debate. This goes beyond the community-driven policing strategies or intelligence-led operations but requires in-depth inquiry into pertinent concerns. It can be commissioned as compliance-testing to assess the human rights and other issues that implementation of counterterrorism measures has raised in relation to the perceived Islam affiliation. This will inform periodic revision of policing policies, standard operating procedures, and training curricula related to violent extremism and radicalization that lead to terrorism.

In conclusion, we emphasize that Islam does not condone terrorism. Therefore, tackling the struc­tural conditions and push factors conducive to terrorism requires addressing negative socio-economic factors, such as corruption and lack of good governance, as well as high unemployment, especially among youth; strengthening institutions and the rule of law, including dependable policing, promoting dialogue between the state and society, and ensuring respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms; combating intolerance and discrimination; promoting mutual respect, coexistence and harmonious relations between ethnic, religious, linguistic and other similar groups; preventing violent extremism; as well as promoting peaceful settlement of disputes and conflicts.

Furthermore, an independent inquiry/audit should be instituted to find answers to the question on why Muslims dominate the suspects’ lists whenever they are any accusations of terrorism. The fact that most suspects are released on nolle proseque (withdrawal of a case by the DPP), releasing some suspects without charges, and raiding of mosques cannot be taken lightly by the Muslim community. If these questions are not answered, Muslims will continue to subscribe to a view that they are being targeted and terrorism is deliberately being Islamized.

We hope that this message has highlighted issues affecting Muslims in Uganda but also suggested how to combat the right causes of terrorism beyond religious affiliation. In Chapter 4 verse 148 of the Glorious Quran “Allah dislikes and abhors public speeches of open contempt towards others unless (it be) for exposing oppression and redressing injustices (zulm)”; Still in Chapter 42 Verse 41, “And whoever rises up to defend their rights when they are afflicted with oppression and injustice, there is no blame against them”

For God and my Country Uganda!

……………………………………..

Jaffer Senganda
President Muslim Centre for Justice and Law
Contacts: +256772616221 OR +256414531084
Skype Name: jaffer.senganda1
http://www.mcjl.ug
Located along Bwaise Bombo road Ku Ssatu
At Basiima Building – housing UMEME Offices
P.O Box 6929 Kampala Uganda.

Muslim Centre for Justice and Law is a faith based non Governmental Organization championing human rights, good governance, tolerance and rule of law and our programmatic areas include provision of legal aid, human rights and civic education, peace and governance. We are located at Basiima Building, Plot 401/3 Bombo Road, Kussatu, and P.O Box 6929, Kampala. Contact us on http://www.mcjl.ug,Email: muslimjustice@gmail.com, Tel: 0701282887, 0414531084.

SHEIKH MUGENYASOOKA DESERVES A MEDAL!

BY HAJJI AHMED KATEREGA VIA THE UMBS FORUM

It is 24 years since the death of Sheikh Haji Zaid Kateregga Mugenyasooka. He died at Kakungulu Memorial Ward, Kibuli Muslim Hospital in the early hours of June 1st 1994, and was buried at Bukoto in the afternoon.He died of natural causes aging 94 years.

Sheikh Zaid Mugenyasooka was President General Africa Muslim Community from 1948 uo to 1972 when Uganda Muslim Supreme Council was formed. He was appointed Regional Qadhi Buganda Region from 1972 up to 1974. In December 1979, he revived AMC Bukoto Nateete and remained its President General until his death.
Sheikh Zaid Kateregga was born in 1900 at Bukesa village in Ngando Sub County, Butambala County now district. His father was Prince Asumani Mawanda Gunsiriiza Tabula, a Mujungute.His mother was Nakibuuka of Mamba clan.

Prior to religious wars of late 1880s and early 1890s, Asumani Mawanda, son of Luzige lived at Kisawo in Bukulula Sub County, now Kalungu District, then Buddu County. He was a son of Prince Gubya who also lived at the same place, with his brother Prince Diba.

Diba, produced Makaato, who became the lineage leader (omukulu w’olunyiriri) under sub clan leader (Omukulu w’omutuba) Kateregga luguma at Bukakkata Buddu0. Kateregga was the first son of King Wunyi l, whose palace and tomb at Kibulala in Singo now present day Kiboga District, who was paternal uncle and step father of Kabaka Kimera.

Makaato produced Nyansi Bulenzi Kasajja (by then as a result of Junju and Ssemakokkiro wars, Kateregga Luguma princes at Bukakkata, had hidden in Mpologoma, Ngabi and Mutima clans) , who became a page at Kabaka Mwanga’s palace at Mmengo, where he was converted to Roman Catholicism, and participated in a war of capturing him after enthroning his son Daudi Chwa in 1897. The battle was at Kabuwoko in Buddu, and he crossed to Bwera now Mawogola, Buweekula into Bunyoro when he joined forces with his brother, Omukama Kabalega of Bunyoro and both were catured in Lango and exiled in Seychelles Islands.
Nyansi Kasajja was appointed a Muluka chief of Miyenje Parish covering present day Mawogola North constituency, from 1900 to until his death in 1939, and was given a Mailo estate at Nnambiriizi, which was the capital of Bwera now Mawogola.

Mawanda converted to Islam and from Kijungute, he settled at Bukesa in Butambala, where a Mailo estate beneficiary gave him a significant portion.

Sheikh Mugenyasooka passed through different sheikhs as his tutors including his master Sheikh Abdullah Ssekimwanyi, the first Ugandan Muslim to perform Hadj in 1920.His other instructor was Sheikh Semawempe. He also trained at Kyowe in Entebbe.

He returned to Ngando in Butambala, where land was given to him to build a mosque which is still standing today. Additionaly a Quran school was also built at Bukesa, which has trained many sheikhs and mwalimus.

During his second pilgrimage to Mecca in early 40s, Sheikh Ssekimwanyi went with Mugenyasooka as his secretary, and when they returned, soon Ssekimwanyi passed on and was replaced by Sheikh Nsambu.
One of the causes for the division of Muslims between Juma Sect Bukoto Nateete and Juma and Zukuri Sect Kyaddondo was praying Zukuli (daily noon prayer0 on Friday in addition to the Juma prayer. After the death of Ssekimwanyi, KibulI dropped praying Dhuhuri on Friday .According to Prince Badru Kakungu and Prof. AB Kasozi, Sheikh Islam, Shuaib Ssemakula had seen Ssekimwanyi as a threat, and after his death he accepted his reforms. Nsambu led a unity Juma at Kibuli.

But Bukoto had others, like opposing mataali drums, fasting depending on the Hijara lunar calendar other than sighting the new moon, translating Khutubah into Luganda and other local languages.
So they elected a young Mugenyasooka at 48 as a caretaker President General, who started from where Ssekimwanyi had stopped and even got a legal advisor Ben Kiwanuka, who was DP President General, and Mugenyasooka became the first Muslim to join DP in 1956.In 1962, he was persecuted by Kabaka Yekka fanatics, and joined his brother Prince Zuliarabi Iddi Ddungu Mukasa Kimera at Nnambiriizi in Mawogola where they built a mosque, a Qur’an school and a UMEA / secular primary school.

The Protectorate and Buganda Government had given 10 sq.miles to Muslims, Zukuri Sect was given six and Bukoto Nateete, four and hills like Nabisunsa, Kisaasi, Wandegeya, Aga Khan, Clock Tower , in Kampala, Bukyolo , Kaddugala, Kabukunge, Nakasoga, Mbuulire, Katimba, Nnamambiriizi in Masaka, kITAGOBWA, bUTAWUKA, IN bUTAMBALA,belonged to Bukoto Nateete, though some was leased to Muslim Sunni Association and Aga Khan Foundation, but of course, in the process, some grabbed but not by Mugenyasooka.
In 1982, Majlisul Ullama (College of Sheikhs) embraced translating of Khutuba in Luganda after Sheikh Abdarazak Matovu, the first Chief Qadhi of Uganda and later mufti successfully translated the Holy Qur’an into Luganda, and this made Bukoto Nateete proud as the pioneers.

Mugenyasooka trained many sheikhs including his own sons; Sheikh Haruna Ssuuna Mugenyasooka, his first son and heir, now Vice President General Africa Muslim Community deputy to Sheikh Abdul Obeid Kamulegeya, President General and successor to Mugenyasooka in 1994, the late Sheikh Muhammad Bulemnzi Kateregga Mugenyasooka , who passed on, on and who was Director of Bukesa Islamic Primary School. Sheikh Asumani Ndawula Mugenyasooka, works with Uganda Revenue Authoroty but also Deputy Imam, Bukoto mosque.

He also trained his nephew, the late Sheikh Abaas Kimera, my father, who was based at Nnambiriizi in Mawogola, and was Masaka District Imaam.Daughter, Princess Zaitun Nassuwa Zaawedde, is a teacher at Kibuli Secondary School.

At a personal level, he introduced me to the late James Ashe Ssekajja, a veteran journalist working with Taifa Empya, who took me to the late Kezekia Sseggwanga Musisi, who recommended me to Ngabo Editor Maurice Luzyimbazi Ssekawungu, and l started working as a Reporter for Ngabo/The Star newspapers in 1990.
Inna Lillaahi wa inna ilaihi raj’una.

Welcome to the UMBSنرحب بكم

Assalamu Alaikum, brothers and sisters

Muslim Photo Slideshow prepared by Abbey.K. Semuwemba

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WE INVITE MWENDA TO ISLAM TO STOP HIM SPREADING MORE LIES!

WE INVITE MWENDA TO ISLAM TO STOP HIM SPREADING MORE LIES!

BY HASSAN AMINA

If anyone on this page knows Andrew Mwenda on a personal level, tell him that there is a way he can redeem himself for all the defamation, hate speech and any other wrong he’s ever done to people. That his slate can be wiped clean and that there is much hope for forgiveness. There’s no reason why he keeps accusing our moderator, Abbey Semuwemba, of being Tom Okwalinga, for reasons best known to himself.

Tell him to accept Islam as his belief and salvation.
That Islam will bring him a peace that no human can ever take away should he stick with it.

That if he does it , he benefits his soul and his reward and recompense is with God alone. Islam will make him feel like this eartly life as nothing, and that whatever he is looking for could only be granted by God. He should not spend days and nights thinking of what to write about Besigye and his supporters, as obscession could easily lead to mental illness.

Tell him it’s the best choice he could ever make for himself and could be the motivator needed to go against policies that slaughter innocent Ugandans despite pressure from other human beings who may have power. Or help him open eyes to a poverty and incarceration issue that can’t be seen through elitist lenses.
If he doesn’t accept, that’s between him and God, then next invite him to be shown how to help the less fortunate and show by an example that you’ve been setting to do the same in your own spaces.

If we haven’t even TRIED to invite Mwenda and Museveni to islam before deciding there is no hope then I’m afraid we’ve given more power to both of them than they actually have. Neither Mwenda nor Museveni is above the unseen or qadr.

May Allah grant the sincere an ability if we ever meet him to invite him in the spirit of Noah, of Moses, of Muhammad (pbuh). I just have that kind of belief in the power of Allah. I don’t know how to live allowing a man, any man, to have others in perpetual despair. May Allah not test the rest of us with that.

SOURCE: UAH GROUP FACEBOOK

ARE MUSLIMS GETTING A FAIR SHARE OF THE NATIONAL CAKE?

By Mukwanason A. Hyuha
Professor of Economics
hyuhama@gmail.com

Mukwanason A. Hyuha

Last week, there was a news item on the local NTV station concerning the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) that is mandated, among other things, to ensure that even minorities and disadvantaged people in the country enjoy equal opportunities, with no discrimination in service provision by government, in employment and, in general, in sharing the national cake. It appears that the EOC had received a complaint to the effect that Muslims in Uganda were/are receiving a less than fair share of the national cake, especially in employment in the public sector. An official of the EOC (a Ms. Malole?) did highlight the nature of the Commission’s docket, responsibilities and activities with respect to the Commission’s implementation of its mandate.

What was, however, surprising—and, possibly, very disappointing to the many Muslims in this Republic—was, first, the official’s claim that she was not actually aware that Muslims were/are facing discrimination. Second, the official seemed not to have the necessary data to enable the EOC to take action on the matter. She, therefore, requested anybody with the data or evidence to forward that evidence to the Commission. It was surprising and disappointing because, in my opinion, it appears to be public knowledge that Muslims are discriminated against in many areas, at least since the colonial days. For instance,

• The Obote II regime had only one Muslim Minister appointed to Cabinet. This Muslim had to immediately flee from the country, following a bombardment of his residence by, allegedly, the security forces. As a result of this flight, the Obote II regime had no Muslim Minister in it.

• The Executive Director of the Kampala City Council Authority (KCCA) appointed 12 high ranking officers to run the affairs of the Authority. There was/is no Muslim among the 12, yet there are so many extremely well-qualified Muslim Ugandans eligible for such and other similar jobs or appointments.

• Many a time, lists of appointed judges and other high-ranking officials in other sectors of the public service are announced, only for Muslims to painfully discover that in such lists, Muslims are missing or are under-represented. Isn’t the EOC aware of this?

• Although both the Kibuli and Old Kampala Muslim factions, particularly their leaders, are normally quiet on these issues for reasons best known to themselves, Sheikh Obed Kamulegeya has often complained in public about this discrimination. Unfortunately for the Muslims, Sheikh Kamulegeya of late is no longer as vocal on this issue as he used to be during the current and previous regimes.

• Fortunately, my Member of Parliament (Hajji Latiff Ssebaggala) as well as Sheikh Nuhu Muzaata Batte have taken over the mantle, albeit on a voluntary basis. For instance, following the EOC’s feigning of ignorance, Hajji Ssebaggala pointed out that no Muslim is represented in the high-most layers of Uganda’s political leadership: President, Vice President, Speaker of Parliament, Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Chief Justice, Deputy Chief Justice, Prime Minister, occupants of the portfolios of major ministries (such as Agriculture, Education, Health, Industry, etc.), and so on. For equity purposes and in order to correct historical injustices to Muslims, some of these positions should be ring-fenced for the Muslims—knowing that getting well-qualified and competent Muslims is not a problem at all.

• Some of the other examples include the Governor and Deputy Governor of the Bank of Uganda and similar chief executive officers (CEOs) of the NSSF, NWSC, CAA, UNRA, URA, UDBL, UPDF, Police, Prisons, ISO, ESO, public universities and other full or semi-parastatals. What about these CEOs’ deputies? Ring-fencing can also be recommended in this case.

What extra evidence does the EOC require? Has it worked on these glaring cases? Given its central position, can’t the EOC generate the required evidence on its own?

Collecting Data and Computing Vital Percentages to Generate Evidence

The EOC should act like the office of the Inspector General of Government (IGG), especially as regards capacity to investigate cases once reported. Because of its capacity, the IGG’s office only needs a report or complaint to start off its own investigation(s). It does not wait for evidence from the complainants or the whistleblowers. That way, the office gets its own evidence, and, hence, does not rely much on evidence from the complainants or whistleblowers—which evidence may, after all, be biased, inaccurate, incomplete, and/or internally inconsistent. Therefore, for a properly implemented act, the EOC must collect data on its own. Thus, a Muslim need only report to the EOC that KCCA’s CEO has employed 12 Ugandans without including a Muslim, or that Muslims are underrepresented in the hierarchy/category of permanent secretaries, yet there are so many well-qualified Muslims fit for the underlying dockets. Thereafter, the EOC swings into action, rather than sitting back in Bugolobi to await the complainant to produce the required evidence.

It is easy to work out the required percentages in every instance. Suppose the population of Muslims in the country is, say, 12% of the total population, then the KCCA should have employed (12×0.12) = 1.44 Muslims, i.e. at least one Muslim; in fact 2 Muslims in line with affirmative action aimed at correcting historical imbalances.

In case the EOC is so understaffed that it has no adequate internal capacity to gather the data on its own, it should at least hire qualified individuals or groups of competent individuals to assist it with the collection and analysis of the necessary data sets. Further, the EOC can actually also source the data from an independent, legal entity to supply it with the required vital data from time to time. This option is actually very attractive and plausible since the EOC may never have enough staff to gather all the data the Commission requires. According to its mandate, the EOC was created to deal with all types of discrimination—with respect to, say, ethnicity, religion, creed, race, region, disability, gender, minorities, political affiliation, ideology, and access to social and other public services and supplies. It is not possible that the Commission can have expert staff in all these areas; hence, the need to hire or source experts from outside the organisation itself.

Conclusion: My Challenge to the EOC

I challenge the EOC to gather data, analyse the data, thereby derive appropriate conclusions, and take the required actions with regard to discrimination against Muslims in cases of the following types, among others:

1. The number of Cabinet Ministers
2. The number of Ministers of State
3. The number of Muslim Ministers in important ministerial portfolios
4. The number of permanent secretaries and their deputies
5. The number of Commissioners in Ministries
6. The number of heads/CEOs of public entities/’parastatals’, such as those mentioned earlier
7. The number of other employees in each Ministry and parastatal (from lowest to highest posts)
8. The number of Presidential advisors
9. The number of Resident District Commissioners (RDCs), given the current 112 districts
10. The number of deputy and Assistant RDCs
11. The number of District Police Commanders (DPCs) in the country
12. The number of Regional Police Commanders in Uganda
13. Similar employment structures in the UPGF and the prisons
14. The number of Chief Administrative Officers (CAOs) in the 112 districts
15. The civil service of all districts, municipalities and town councils in all entities
16. And so on.

Are the relevant positions/posts being shared equitably with respect to regions, religions, tribes, gender, et cetera? I am concerned particularly with the percentage of Muslims in these positions vis-à-vis their (Muslims’ population) percentage in the over 35 millions of people in Uganda. Is the Muslims’ share of the national cake equitable or satisfactory? Good analysis of the data will bring out the required answer. The Muslims claim that they are not getting a fair share of the national cake. Does the evidence show otherwise in each of the above instances?

The EOC’s answers to these and similar questions will help all of us and, above all, raise all of us higher on the knowledge scale.

© Mukwanason Hyuha
May 15, 2016.

UGANDA MUSLIMS AND THE 2016 ELECTIONS

Assalamu alaikum. As the Muslim community evolves, so too will its politics.

It’s heartening to see much of the Uganda Muslim community engage in heavy discussion on this election but none of the Muslim leaders has come out with a document to publicly give guidance on what Muslims want from the next govt. Whether it’s to question the way the religious-political cake is distributed(the president pledging 10 billions to the Catholics for shrines), or our cooperation with the government, Muslims have much to contribute to an existing and critical discourse.

What we need to remember though is that Islam frames the way in which we seek to enter and contribute to the conversation. We are not political observers offering insight from a distance, nor are we contributing from a godless ontology through which we then feign universality.

Islam defines for us the problem and Islam defines for us the solution. Let us keep this in mind so as to not adopt what will ultimately be a self-defeating politics.

Now, back to the discussion..…

When the sincerity of Museveni’s promises to Muslims and the rest of Ugandans is questioned, some people cry insensitivity and insist the discussion be left for another day. For instance,he has promised some compensation to the victims of the 1979 mini-genocide in Mbarara, but you have got to ask yourself:1- what’s in it for him this time? , 2- why now, after 30 years in power?

Recently, as many of you may have heard, there were newspaper articles published that theorized the murders of Muslim sheikhs, but no report has been published by the govt so far. We are still basically in darkness on who’s killing our leaders, a factor that has made some of us to stay away from that country for a while. Honestly, Its scary to be killed and absolutely nothing is done about it. I sometimes wish I knew how to make a gun and bullets myself without going to any factory, such that I could distribute them to all Muslim leaders to protect themselves.

Secondly, I’ve only come to realize how little support, we as an honourable Muslim community, give to each other in times of hardship. I am guilty of this myself, but I’ve only just started to feel the great importance of this unfortunately when it hit home.There’s a sheikh(tabliq faction) in prison right now whose case has been as confusing as the candidacy of Mbabazi in these elections. I have forgotten his name but I think he was due for bail at some point and the trial was postponed or something like that. But some Muslims are celebrating this brother’s problems instead of trying as much as possible to help him.

How do we do this to each other, while Allah SWT honoured us with this amazing religion we all share, and yet we let each individual suffer on their own. The imagery is of hungry wolves attacking, and instead of staying all close together, we seem to scamper away like little mice with our heads down. Is this the Izzah (honour) that we hold as one Ummah. It would be great to see us actually implement the hadith of the Prophet SAW that we are, as one body. We all know it in words but really contemplate, how have you actually shown that with your actions. Allah SWT says (translation): Shall we then treat the Muslimeen (people of faith) like the Mujrimeen (People of Sin)? ((68:35))

Imagine if each time one Muslim was unfairly treated in any way, a respected group of 3,000 Muslims responded, just voicing their support via social media,newspapers and radio stations to the individual and his family rather than making them feel like a stray sheep from amongst the herd. (It will be great to discuss ideas of how we can do this, in an organized fashion). Doing so, will not only unite our efforts, but also potentially deter attackers.

Some will probably be thinking -but how do we know that he is being unfairly treated? The premise of “innocent until proven guilty” should be there not “guilty because the media said so”. Also, there is a definite harshness that exists amongst us sometimes when we don’t necessarily agree with each other’s opinions. Do any two people share the exact same ideas and opinions? Where is our respect for different understandings? Psychology studies have taught us the vastness and magnificence of the human brain. Utmost respect should be given to one another, especially as Muslims where we agree on who our Creator is, and who our beloved, noble Prophet is, and on our purpose in this gleamingly short world. Aren’t we all trying to please our Creator?

Well, I wish everyone peaceful elections. Please vote wisely and find a way to protect your votes: don’t go back home before votes are counted, and take pictures of the results. We also pray to Allah to give strength to our brother,Dr.Badru Kiggundu, whom i respect so much, to do the right thing…..i must add ‘this time’!

Wassalam

—

*Abbey Kibirige Semuwemba*

Stalk my blog at: http://semuwemba.com/

RESPONSE TO THE “CHRISTIAN DISCRIMINATION AT OLD K’LA SS.S” MESSAGE

The malicious massage was sent by the aggrieved members (former staff members) whose contracts were not renewed at the end of the year 2015.
1. The need to correct the false information supplied.

a. The list of terminated staff members had names like Muwonge Vincent, Matovu Ivan, Lutamaguzi Ivan and Kawamala Moses who were terminated in 2013 during the former head teacher’s tenure.

b. All new applicants for vacancies were given muslim names yet a good number of them are Christians e.g Nasiwa Sophia is Nasiwa Oliver, Namaingo Aminah is Namaingo Alice, Nalubale Leilah is Nalubale Diana, Aiita Anifa is Aiita Alex.
c. The structure of the prayer place at school was put up under Mr.Bwire Raphel’s time in 2006.
d. A number of staff (8) who contracts were not renewed have written their statements to dis-associate themselves from the case submitted to KCCA Labour office which was contesting termination of contract. This is because they consented to the end of contract but were also included on the long list of complainants.
e. The length of service was faked e.g Ssekadde Saul served for 1 year as an office messenger not 2 years as personal assistant. Odwori Micheal served for 2 years not 19years. Kawamara Moses served for 6years not 10 years, Nalwanga Mable served for 7 years not 9 years, Sseremba Ronald served for 10 years not 15 years etc.

HOW STAFF ARE LOCALLY RECRUITED AND ALSO LAID OFF
The Board of Governors (B.O.G) employs temporary staff to fill the gaps whenever those on Government pay roll are not enough, with an understanding that the B.O.G staff are on temporary contracts and laid off as soon as a school gets a government staff.

It is under this arrangement that the contracts of the complainants were not renewed and they resorted to lodge their complaints to the KCCA Labour office and social Media.

They were given notice in advance and on top of that they are going to be paid 2 months’ salary in lieu.

The termination of contract is not a new phenomenon. Every end of year contracts are terminated or renewed depending on performance and government posting of staff.

RECRUITMENT OF STAFF

There is a committee in charge of recruitment of personnel and none of the members is a Muslim.
It is not that all the short listed persons passed the interview.
Its un fortunate that all the new recruited staff were given Muslim names to instigate hostility
The KCCA labour office has invited me for mediation meeting on the 1st/Feb/2016

Feel free, to ask any clarification on this matter. Otherwise I will keep you posted on the new developments after the mediation meeting.

Asalam Aleikum

DISHONESTY AND NEGLIGENCE OF UMSC PAST LEADERS COST MUSLIMS PROPERTIES WORTH BILLIONS (1973-1998)

By Haji Nsereko Mutumba

The history of Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) as told by ignorant and dishonest individuals who accuse the current UMSC administration under H.E the Mufti of Uganda Shk. Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje for selling ‘Muslim property’ leaves a lot to be desired.

First and foremost, the definition of Muslim property is quite myopic. They attempt to make the world to believe that a property can only be referred to as Muslim property if it existed after Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje was sworn in as the Mufti of Uganda on 6^th January 2001. Meaning that – before Shk. Mubaje became Mufti there was no Muslim property.

Secondly, they want everyone to believe that there was no selling or stealing of Muslim property before Shk. Mubaje became the Mufti of Uganda.

Thirdly, they ignorantly or stubbornly refuse to understand the difference between selling and leasing.

By granting UMSC leaders the custodianship of Asian properties, President Idi Amin Dada’s dream (May Allah forgive him) was to help the council generate funds out of these properties so that by the time the Asians repossess them, UMSC would have generated enough funds and put up its own structures that would make it self-reliant.

This dream was never fulfilled because by the time some of the properties were apparently repossessed by the so called rightful owners, not even a modern toilet facility was constructed by the then UMSC leaders from the money collected from them.

If I may ask, who witnessed the handover ceremony of the Muslim properties (including Kibuli Mosque) that were entrusted to the then Mohamedan Chief (Muslim leader) Prince Mbogo and his subsequent successors from 1900 to 1^st June 1972? When UMSC was inaugurated. Where are these properties?

According to a book “The life of Prince Badru Kakungulu Wasajja” written by Prof. A.B.K Kasozi, Kibuli Mosque was constructed by funds solicited from all Muslims with the help of money donated by Asians. It was supposed to be a Muslim unity Mosque.

In this document, I have revealed what had been concealed from Ugandan Muslims concerning UMSC properties.  I have brought to light the truth about UMSC properties that were either negligently lost or illegally disposed off by former UMSC leaders or infamously repossessed by the so called rightful owners in 1991-98.

Ever since its inception in 1973, UMSC has had several leaders who in their capacities did little or nothing to contribute to the development of UMSC as an institution.

Did you know that fraud and mismanagement of UMSC/Muslim affairs started right from the time President Idi Amin Dada was overthrown?

Do you know the number and value of properties UMSC had 42 years ago?

They were over eight hundred and they included factories, housing estates, lands, ranches, landing sites, schools, vehicles and Mosques all scattered all over the country and worth billions of shillings.

The UMSC factories were managed by its industrial and commercial arm known as Industrial and Commercial Holdings Limited and its general manager was M W Kiggundu (see attached document). They included:

• Ugastat Ltd
• Uganda Brushware Manufacturers Ltd
• Uganda Ranchers Ltd
• Consolidated Properties Ltd.
• Liiso Publications Ltd
• Star Garment Industry Ltd
• Hababi Hotel Ltd
• Al-Attas Touring Company with a fleet of vehicles numbering up to 12 Omni buses.
• Kitovu Printery
• Lathe Machine Workshop

The ranches were organised under a UMSC company called M/S Uganda Ranchers Ltd (see document attached). They included:

• Mijera/Nakakola Buruli Ranch
• Kiryandongo Ranch
• Masaka Ranch
• Mawogola
• Bunya Ranch
• Ankole Ranch

All the above properties belonged to UMSC before Shk. Mubaje became Mufti but at the time he assumed office in 2001, all the industries had vanished in thin air. The ranches had been illegally personalized or sold off.

Before I share the list of those lost or sold Muslim properties, I should make the following clarifications;

Plots 30, 102/104 on William Street were never sold. UMSC sub leased them with the mandate of the Executive Committee and the money was used to construct the commercial perimeter complex at the UMSC Headquarters which fetches over 40 million per month and it will fetch over 80 million once it is fully completed. Part of this money is used to pay UMSC staff salaries (see the attached photos of the complex).

It should be remembered that this property had also been illegally disposed off by previous UMSC leaders. It took H.E Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje’s personal effort to recover it in 2003.

Another case of dishonesty or negligence by past UMSC leaders was on the issue of the UMSC Head Quarters Old Kampala land title. During President Amin’s time in office, the then Commissioner of Lands and Survey wrote to UMSC requesting the then administration to pay UGX  15,850/= in order to be allocated a land title, but the council officials never paid and UMSC never acquired the land title until 1999 during the NRM government. It took President Museveni’s intervention for the title to be secured during the leadership of the late Shk. Muhammad Semakula.

Below are some of UMSC properties that were sold or lost between 1973 and 1998:.

KAMPALA

KHOJA SHIA ISHNASIR JAMAT

1. Plot No. 46 Namirembe Road

2. Plot No. 108 Nakivubo North Road

3. Khoja Shia Ishabasuru jamat Primary School

4. Plot 2 1/23 Rashid Khamis Road

5. Plot 10 opposite Akamba Bus

6. 6 Wilson Road New Secondary School

7. 96-98 William Street 12 flats

8. Plot No. 84-90 Nakivubo Road

9. Plot No. 38 Namirembe Road

DO WOOD! BOHORA JAMAT CORPORATION

10. Plot No. 23 William Street *

DO WOOD! BOHORA LIMITED

11. Plot No. 30 William Street*

MUSLIM SUNNI ASSOCIATION

12. Mosque at Plot No. 17/A and C Entebbe road and Plot No. 4 SNAY BIN STREET

13. Old Kampala Mosque and Education complex at Plot No.45, 47-51 Rashid Khamis

Road.

14. Plot 6 Martin Road

15. Plot No. 1 Barclay Lane

16. Plot 88 South Street

17. Muslim Cemetery at Archer Road Kololo

AGA KHAN ISMAILIA COMMUNITY

18. Plot 6 and 8 Martin Road

19. Plot 39 A-39 B Martin Road

20. Plot 4 and 5 Rubaga Place

21. Plot 1 Rubaga Road

22. Four Blocks of Flats Mussajalumba Road

23. Aga Khan Club Old Kampala

24. Plot 2, 4 and Hoima Road

25. Aga Khan Education Complex Kololo Hill Drive

26. Main Aga Khan Mosque Old Kampala

27. Aga Khan Mosque Namirembe Road

28. Plot No. 17/19 Kampala Road

29. Plot No. 12/14 City Square

30. Diamond Trust Properties Limited

31. Mosque and Mohammed High School, Wandegeya

32. H.H Aga Khan Sec. School and Primary

33. H.H Aga Khan Hostel

34. Plot No. 8A, Kabalega Close – Nakawa

35. Plot No. Ml 89 Kabalega Close — Nakawa

36. Plot No. 18, Buvuma Road

37. Muslim Sports Club at Entebbe Road

38. Nakulabye House: 64 Houses from plots No. 461 to525

39. Plot No. 3, Rubaga Place

40. Plot No. 92 William Street

41. Plot No. 78 South Street

42. Plot No. 86/8 8 William Street

43. Lower Kololo Houses Sturrock Road (4 Double stories flats)

44. Plot No. 2 Snay Bin Amir Street

45. Plot No. ito No. 10 Kasalina Road (Namirembe)

46. Plot No. 24-26 Mackay Road

47. Makerere Plots No. 90 to 16

48. Plot No. 5 Martin Road

49. Plot No. 59 Nkrumah Road (formally Salisbury Rd.)

50. H.H The Agha Khan Jubilee Gift Fund (U) Limited

51. Plot No.2 and 170, Hoima Road

52. Plot No. 24 Makerere Rd. Kampala

53. Plot No. 12 Prince Charles Drive

54. Plot No. 24 Mackay Road

55. Plot No. 2 Hill Lane Kampala

56. Ploy No. 11 Namirembe Road

57. Plot No. 603 Nakulabye Road

58. Plot No. 20 Bokassa Street

59. Plot No. 9 Namirembe Road

60. Plot No. 284/ 285 Namirembe Township

61. Plot No. 1 Old Kampala Road

62. Plot No. 103 Kibuga Hoima Rd.

63. Plot No. 1-3 Kiswa Rd.

64. Plot No. 5 Martin Rd.

65. Plot No. 46 1/525 Nakulabye Kibuga

66. Plot No. 1-10 Kasalina Rd

67. Plot No. Sturrock Rd. Lower Kololo

MASINDI

68. Plot No. 7A/B Commercial Street

69. Plot No. 9/A/B/C

70. Plot No. 28 Tonque Street

71. Plot No. 18/20 Kamese Road

72. Plot No. Aga Khan Mosque (Old)

73. Plot No. 18 Grade Housing Estate

74. Plot No. 20

75. Masindi Port Mosque

HOIMA TOWN

76. Old Toro Road Mosque

77. Plot No. 7 Main Street

78. Plot No. 26 Main Street

79. Plot No. 32 Main Street

80. Plot No. 3 Butyaba Road

81. Karugira Mosque

82. Kakumiro Aga Khan Mosque

83. Bulisa Isinshiaria Mosque

 

 

MBARARA TOWN

84. Plot No. 16 High Street Mbarara

85. Plot No. 68/70 High Street Mbarara

86. Aga Khan Primary School

87. Plot No. 6A & 6B Kakoba Road

88. Plot No. 4A & 4B Kakoba Road

89. Plot No. 8A/8 B Kakoba Road

90. Plot No. 2/18 Busunku Road

91. Plot No. 16/20 Busunku Road

92. Kafunjo Mosque

93. Ntungamo Mosque

94. Rwantaba Mosque

KIGEZI DISTRICT

95. Aga Khan Mosque — Stadium Road — Kabale

MASAKA

96. Plot No.7 1 Elm Rd. Masaka

97. Plot No. 73 Elm Rd Masaka

98. Plot No. 5 Elm Rd. Masaka

99. Plot No. 14/20 Circular Rd. Masaka

100. Plot No. 6/10 Bwala Hill Masaka

101. Plot No. 12/14 Bwala Hill Masaka

102. Plot No. 3 0/40 Katwe Road Masaka

103. Plot No. 42/48 Victoria Rd. Masaka

104. Plot No. 21 Edward Avenue Masaka

105. Plot No. 3 1/35 Tibukuuza Rd. Materre Masaka

106. Plot No. 13/23 George Street Masaka

107. Plot No. 20/3 0 Victoria Road

108. Plot No. 30 Bwala Hill

109. Plot No. 32/3 6 Victoria Road Masaka

110. Bukoto trading Center Mosque

111. Butenga Trading Center Mosque

112. Kakuuto Trading Center Mosque

113. Kagologolo Trading Center Mosque

114. Kalisizo Trading Center Mosque

115. Kalungu Trading Center Mosque

116. Kawoko Trading Center Mosque

117. Kyabakuza Trading Center Mosque

118. Kyotera Trading Center Mosque

119. Lyantonde Trading Center Mosque

120. Mbirizi Trading Center Mosque

121. Kaboyo Trading Center Mosque

 

 

WEST BUGANDA

122. Mpigi Mosque

123. Mitala — Maria Mosque

124. Nabusanke Mosque

125. Kiriri Mosque

126. Kinoni Mosque

127. Kinoni Aga Khan School

128. Bukandu Mosque — Bar

129. Plot No. 8 Kinyo Rd. Bombo

130. Plot Certificate No. 30486 Nabusanke Cemetery

JINJA

131. Plot No. 29-35 Babula Rd.

132. Plot No. 27 Gakhale Rd East

133. Plot No. 7 Iganga Mosque

134. Plot No. 14 I4aji Tamachi Place

135. Plot No. 25 IgangaRd.

136. Plot No. 1-2 radio Rd.

137. Plot No. 11 Muvule Crescent M. Club

138. Lonan Club Elgon Avenue

139. Plot No. 5 Radio Rd.

140. Plot No. 30 Lumba Road

141. Plot No. 32 Lumba Road

142. Plot No. g Iganga Rd.

143. Kamuli Mosque Hitimba Rd.

144. Kalire Mosque Iganga Rd.

145. Mbulamuti Mosque Kamuli Rd.

146. Nursery School, Radio Rd.

BUSOGA

147. Plot No. 15 Kitimbo Rd. Kamuli

148. Plot No. 11 Kitimbo Rd. Kamuli

149. Plot No. 13 Kitimbo Rd. Kamuli

150. Plot No. 33/35 Bugabula Rd. Jinja

151. Plot No. 20/22 Elgon Avenue

152. Plot No. 24/34 Gokhle Rd. Jinja

153. Plot No. 2/10 Radio Rd. Jinja

154. Plot No. 16 First Lane Jinja

155. Plot No. 29/3 1 Gabula Rd. Jinja

MBALE

156. Plot No. 6 Republic Street

157. Plot No. 8 Republic Street

158. Plot No. 22 Nkokonjeru Rd.

159. Plot No. 4 Bwana Muchale Rd.

160. Plot No. 19 Bwana Muchale Rd.

161. Plot No. 1, 2, 3 Kirk Crescent Rd.

162. Plot No. 7 Kirk Crescent Rd.

163. P10t No. 2 Buteleja Green Rd.

164. Plot No. 4 Buteleja Green Rd.

165. Plot No. 8 Buteleja Green Rd.

166. Plot No. 10 Buteleja Green Rd.

167. Plot No. 12 Buteleja Green Rd.

168. Plot No. 206 Masaba Avenue

169. Plot No. 19 Aga Khan Dispensary Naboa Rd.

170. Aga Khan Sports Club 2 Buildings

171. Aga Khan Nursery School

172. Aga Khan Hostel

173. Pallisa Rd. Aga Khan Oswal Community X Center

174. Aga Khan Lodge Buwalasi View on Nabuvango Rise Rd.

SOROTI

175. Plot No. 40 Haridoa Rd.

176. Plot No. 33 School Rd Soroti

177. Plot No. 13/15 Soroti Avenue

178. Plot No. 24 Juma Shai Rd.

179. Plot No. 11-17 Hostel Haridas Rd.

LIRA

180. Lira Aga Khan Mosque Soroti Rd.

181. Plot No.2 Bazar Rd.

182. Plot No. Aga Khan Mosque at Atura

183. Minakula Aga Khan School

KITGUM

184. Aga Khan Mosque 144 Uhuru Drive

GULU

185. Plot No. 3-5 Atwal Rd.

1 86. Plot No. 20 Andrea Olala Rd.

187. Plot No. 2-4 Andrea Olala Rd.

188. Plot No.7 AtwalaRd.

189. Plot No. 22-24 Atwala Rd.

190. Plot No. 1012 Achili Rd.

191. Plot No. 9/11 AtwalRd. Gulu

192. Plot No. 2/4 Lagala Rd. Gulu

EAST BUGANDA

193. Ngogwe Town

194. Buike Town

195. Kayunga Town

196. Wobulenzi Town

197. Bombo Town

198. Nagalama Town

(All properties that belonged to Indians in the above East Buganda towns were

Entrusted to UMSC)

TORO DISTRICT – FORT PORTAL

199. Plot No. 68/80 Kiboga Rd.

200. Plot 6 Mugurusi Rd.

201. Aga Khan Nursery School, Mugurusi Rd.

202. Plot No. 13, 15 and 17

203. Aga Khan Mosque Plot No. 3 7-43

WEST NILE DISTRICT

204. Plot No. 3 Rhino Camp Rd.

205. Mosque Adumi Rd.

206. Plot No. 20-24 Rhino Camp

MUBENDE

207. Plot No. 33/3 9 Main Street

208. Plot No. 11 Block A

209. Plot No. 59 Mityana Rd.

210. Plot No. 18 Mubende

 

BUNYORO

211. Plot No. 37/39 Masindi Port Rd.

LANGO

212. Plot No. 2 and 4 Oyam Rd. Lira

213. Plot No: 9 Block .A. Atura

ANKOLE

214. Plot 20/26 Bachuku Rd. Mbarara (Busunku)

215. Plot No. 1 Stadium Rd.Mbarara

216, Plot No. 224 Kikagati Ankole

217. Plot No. 7 Block A Kafunzo

218. Plot No. 22/24 Bulemba Rd.

MBALE

219. Plot No. 127/137 Pallisa Rd. Mbale

220. Plot No. 53/57 Pallisa Rd.

221. Plot No.3 Block A Butiru Rd.

222. Plot No. 7 Block B Butiru Rd.

TORO

223. Plot No. 31 Mosque Fort Portal

224. Plot No. 3 7/47 Kuppa Rd Fort Portal

225. Plot No. 39 Fort Portal

226. 331 Fort Portal

227. Plot No. 3 Butiti Rd.

KIGEZI

228. Plot No. 179/64 stadium Rd Kabale

TORORO

229. Plot No. 3/5 Block B Busia

KAMPALA

230. Industrial Estate Port Bell

231. Brush Factory Kawempe

232. Diamond Jubilee Investment Trust Limited

233. Jubilee Insurance Company Limited, 14 Parliament Avenue, Kampala (IPS)

In addition to the above, there was the Najanankumbi Estate which comprised of 18 Bungalows.  These were also disposed off through dubious means.

Had our past leaders been foresighted and honest enough, UMSC would be standing tall as one of the wealthiest and most powerful institutions in Uganda today

And as clearly indicated above, the Plot No. 30 on William Street was never a Mosque. It was simply transformed into a prayer place in 1983 following the expulsion of the then Mufti Shk. Kassim Mulumba from the then UMSC Headquarters at the now Agakhan Mosque at Old Kampala.

Sheikh Mulumba turned the William Street building into his headquarters after it was given to him by the late Haji Abdel Zedi of Kabira (25 miles on Kampala – Masaka Road). It was previously a store.

In conclusion, the current UMSC administration has never sold any Muslim property. The selling was done by the previous UMSC leaders. Instead of attacking the current UMSC administration for subleasing a single property and using the proceeds to construct a commercial perimeter complex which generates millions of shillings per month, UMSC detractors should be asking the past UMSC leaders the whereabouts of the above listed Muslim properties.

When Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje assumed office, he found about 8 land titles of Muslim properties. Today, UMSC has over 300 Muslim land titles which were secured by the current UMSC administration. May Allah reward His Eminence the Mufti of Uganda Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje and members of his administration for this accomplishment.

WAY FORWARD

In regard to the above therefore, I propose an inquiry into all lost UMSC properties acquired since 42 years ago. This would do the council more good since it would dig out all those who stole what and how, so as to clean the Image of the council once and for all.

The Writer is the UMSC Public Relations Officer. He can be contacted on Mobile 0772/0701 – 409504 or Email. pro_umsc@yahoo.com

—
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Beyond Monetary Compensation: The Most Serious Crimes Must Not go Unpunished

Killing members of a religious group with intent to destroy them in whole or in part, as was the case for Muslims in Sheema, Uganda, in 1979 is one of the most serious crimes: the crime of genocide. Victims of such crime not only deserve adequate and timely compensation, but perpetrators of genocide must not go unpunished.

Until adequate and timely compensation has been made, there are reasonable grounds to believe that the candidate’s statement is a mere campaign message deliberately intended to get votes from victims of massacres to support a candidate who has clearly failed to ensure that the victims were compensated without undue delay.

The fact that no compensation has been made in the last about 30 years (despite a previous promise made during 2011 presidential campaigns) is a possible indicator of unwillingness to adequately and timely compensate the victims. They are only remembered during and only in the context of presidential campaigns (when their votes are wanted) but forgotten immediately after swearing in.

Even if one is to give the candidate some benefit of doubt, his promise is still ambiguous and indeed non-committal. The promise is not to provide adequate compensation immediately and unconditionally but rather to send the Prime Minister and the Solicitor General (on an unspecified date) to meet the affected families and agree on modalities of compensating them.

There is, therefore, a process with a possibility that a satisfactory agreement on adequate and timely compensation might not be reached or if reached it might not be implemented in practice without further delay.

While we do not support Hon. Amama Mbabazi, his words, as cited by Rehema Uganda and The Observer, (ie ‘when he tells you that this is white, then you know he is meaning that it is black’) http://observer.ug/news-headlines/42038-museveni-never-means-what-he-says-mbabazi, unless otherwise disproved, might apply equally apply to the victims.

It is hoped that adequate and timely compensation will be made to the victims without further undue delay.

Delayed compensation does not amount to adequate compensation.

Significantly, monetary compensation alone without holding those who bear the greatest criminal responsibility for killing Muslims accountable will never be adequate compensation. It breeds impunity for the perpetrators of these crimes and thus contributes to the further commission of similar crimes in the future. No wonder Muslims can still be killed without accountability; arrested and detained without trial etc.

My Kyeyo experience in the UK taught me a lot!

Collegues,

I listened to Imaam Kasozi on Pearl radio on Sat 23rd Jan 2016 when he discussed the issue of the Saudis abusing their domestic workers. He stated that the expectations of the Ugandans should have been discussed before and that it is possible that our work culture could be affecting us. Imaam please get us your audio bites and post them so we dont re-discuss your thoughts.

Having been a “nkuba kyeyo” myself I agreed with him entirely. It is hard work when you leave your home. When I went to the UK, I was a qualified medical doctor. I will not tell you here what I did for survival but for 2 years I worked hard, 16-18 hours a day!!!! I didnt expect it better and when I was fedup with that dirty work, I jumped on the plane and arrived at Entebbe with only GBP 240 and a small bag, to the disappointment of many family members, but I was home!!!!! I retain no anger to the British. They paid me for the hours I worked and the dirty work I did.

The sexual abuses are probably true and we need to investigate them but are they the major in this case or is it hard work the Ugandans are not used to? Are our sisters and brothers exaggerating hard work as abuses? We needed a thorough investigation before emotionally closing a rather lucrative export, labour.

But those are our Ministers, they work on emotions and impulse, never establishing facts. Thank God,  I am not a Minister!!

Dr.Hakim Ssendagire via the UMBS forum

Both Saudi and Uganda govts are to blame!

‘While Saudi Government can be blamed for not intervening in the suffering of our Ugandans who go to do slavery there, our government is equally to blame. In Man Power Planning Principles, if a country can not absorb all its graduates, it is in order to export that man power. The individuals will benefit as well as the government.Our African countries have left the citizens to export themselves or by fake organizations to go and serve as slaves in the developed and developing countries. Many die while traveling to these countries but we do not learn or care’

I have information that in 2000 China asked our Ambassador there to provide 20,000 teachers to teach English language in their country. When our Ambassador traveled back and talked to the PS Ministry of education, the latter completely rejected the idea without subjecting it to logical discussion. The argument was that it would sabotage UPE programme, some thing I found illogical. First Uganda has more teachers than the government can employee some of the doing petty jobs. Secondly, any S4 Dropout in Uganda needs just 6mouthe course on pedagogue and would go to Chine and teacher basic English well etc.etc.The Ambassador gave up the idea, but some how a few individuals found their way in Chine on that programme.

Supposing these people were going out with involvement the government, their contribution would be more than twice,. There are countries like Pakistan that officially export manpower to Saudi Arabia and their economies are benefiting well as their citizens also gain.

—–‘Kibedi Nkuutu’ via Uganda Muslim Brothers & Sisters​

NOT ALL SAUDIS ARE BAD BUT……

 

 

Well the thing of collective guilt sometimes becomes too much. This morning, a colleague at office asked me what “are your Saudi brothers’ doing to our sisters? Of course, i know that this is a complex matter. Truth be told there are both good and bad stories there. I have five close family members from across the borders who are in Saudi.

 

I chat with them almost on a daily basis. Their bosses are good to them. Two of them even performed Umra last year courtesy of their bosses. They have also been returning home for some break and return back to their duty stations. So there is no clear cut line on this issue.

 

I personally still find it hard that Saudi Arabic can’t reign in on people committing these atrocities. What happens to justice and all these nice teachings of treating laborers in the most humane way? This abuse seems to be happening at large scale to escape the eye of the authorities. This reminds me of some preaching program i watched online of Shiekh Faizal from Jamaica about the hypocrisy in Saudi.

 

Sheikh Faizal trained in Madina. In this video he attacks the religious scholars of Saudi for turning a blind eye and deaf ears to serious problems in their country and throwing around fatwas on small issues in other parts of the World. I don’t have the guts to post some of things he mentioned in the video that is available on you tube.

 

Of course in Islam we don’t believe in shared sin, but this is not the best portrayal of Islam as a whole, given the fact that Saudi is governed in accordance with Sharia. The Saudi government come up and address this problem or appear to be doing somethings. Naye, tuswala.

 

Ahmed Wetaka via the UMBS forum

{UMBS} Uganda Bans Recruitment of Domestic Workers to Saudi Arabia

Government has with immediate effect banned the recruitment and deployment of Ugandans as domestic workers in Saudi Arabia.

In a statement issued this afternoon, Muruli Mukasa, the Gender, Labor and Social Minister, notes that the ministry has been receiving complaints of workers subjected to inhuman treatment by their employers in Saudi Arabia.

According to the statement, the ban will remain in effect until the working conditions in Saudi Arabia are deemed fit. In 2014, the Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga, asked government to ban the export of domestic workers following complaints of torture but nothing was done.

Kindly receive the Islamic Banking law

Dear Brothers

Kindly receive the Islamic Banking law. Open the attachment!

ISLAMIC BANKING LAW-The Financial Institutions (amendment) Act 2016

Kiggundu.Sulaiman