The Unsung Muslim Heroes of Uganda:Sheikh Obedi Lutale- father of Sheikh Abdu Obedi Kamulegeya

By Haji Nsereko Mutumba

Sheikh Obedi Lutake was a son of Mr. Sirimu Semmindi and Mariam Kutuma.Sheikh Obeid Lutale was initially taught Islam by Sheikh Haji Ahamada Nsambu. He was later taught by a number of Sheikhs who included Sheikh Obedi Sirimu Bboggomensi who was a Muwalimu in Mumyuka Sub County, Mirembe Parish in Butambala County.

Sheikh Obedi Lutale

He was later appointed as the Twale Sheikh (County Sheikh) of Butambala County, a position he held for 8 years before assuming of the position of Deputy to Sheikh Ahamada Nsambu who was the leader of the Juma Muslim sect. He served as the chairman of Hajjis (Muslims who Performed Pilgrimage to Makka) for 10 years.

In 1943, he performed pilgrimage together with Sheikh Haji Abdallah Sekimwanyi and Sheikh Haji Muhammad Lubowa.
Sheikh Obedi Lutale reported the two in Makka over the issues of Juma and Zukuli prayers on Fridays.

After Juma prayer, they used to perfom Zukuli, a practice that Shk. Obedi found unIslamic.The authorities in Makka issued a Fatuwa (Islamic ruling) on which Sheikh Haji Swaibu Semakula and Sheikh Haji Ahmada Nsambu based to reconcile the two sides and establish Juma Prayers in Uganda.

After the reconciliation, Sheikh Obedi Lutale was appointed Deputy Kadhi. The Kadhi was Sheikh Muhammad Lubowa. By then, the title of Kadhi meant the head of the Kibuli based Muslim Community. He served as deputy Kadhi for two years and he was put in charge of Muslim properties (Land and Mosques) in Uganda.

Shortly before Uganda’s independence, Shk. Obedi was elected chairman of a committee that was in charge of political affairs of the colonial and Ugandan political leadership.

Sheikh Obedi also served as a Junior Judge (B) for a period of four years in Mmengo.In 1965, there emerged misunderstandings among Muslim leaders in Uganda leading to the formation of NAAM whose aims were:
·To ensure that Muslims in Uganda are led by a Sheikh
·To have a constitution for Muslim Leadership in Uganda
·To ensure that Islam is recognized as a religion in Uganda like other religions.

Sheikh Obedi was in charge of the constitutional committee that drafted the first constitution for Muslims following the recognition of Islam as a religion in Uganda. In the same year, he was appointed by the government as the Councilor for West Buganda District Administration representing Mawokota.

He was also a member of the board of trustees of NAAM elected in 1969. He was also the District Kadhi of West Buganda Muslim District (Kyadondo).

He was one of the founding members African Muslim community. The others were Haji Katongole, Haji Musa Kasule and Shk. Ahamada Nsambu.

Sheikh Obedi did a great job of educating his children many of whom grew up to prominence. Among them is Sheikh Abdu Obedi Kamulegeya who led UMSC twice and currently the Country Director of World Muslim League. He is one of the founders of NAAM.

The late Haji Asadu Lutale was a prominent teacher as well as a politician. He served as an RDC in several government districts. By the time he died, he was the RDC of Mpigi District.

Many of his grandchildren are PHD holders, masters and other degrees.

Sheikh Obeid was innocently murdered during President Amins regime, Ina Lillahi Wa Inna Ilaihi Rajiuna.

According to the above information THOUGH NOT COMPLETE, we are witnessing a great sheikh who is a revolutionary, a patriot, an educationist, a politician as well as a devoted religious leader. Therefore if he is not honoured as a hero, what else can you call him? Though unsung.

Haji Nsereko Mutumba
Public Relations Officer
Uganda Muslim Supreme Council
Tel: 0701409504 or 0772409504
Email: pro_umsc@yahoo.com