Muslim unity cannot be achieved with Sheikh Mubajje because he never keeps his promises

Dear Brothers and Sisters,Assalam Alaykum.

First I should send my condolences to the family of the late Sheikh Huzair Kiruuta, and the Muslim community in general upon the death of the long serving District Kadhi (Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi Raaji’oun). I didn’t have the chance to attend the burial, so I have basically relied on the posts made on this platform and Bukedde TV news to get a feel of how it all went.

The death of Sheikh Kiruuta has once again given us a talking platform on the decades’ long question of Muslim Unity. Judging from the responses I see here, it is not difficult to see how Muslims are yearning to settle this important question. Everyone seems to say, yes, here is an opportunity, let us use it. This is all based on the statement made by Mufti Sheikh Shabban Mubajje at the burrial function.

But since we are now debating and giving our opinions, let me frankly tell you that I am not excited about this issue, like many brothers and sisters are. The reason is simple; I do not believe that Sheikh Mubajje was serious, because this is not the first time he has made such pronouncements.

As a keen observer, I have noted that Sheikh Mubajje is a bright person (which is a good thing of course). He is the type of person who will say the right thing, to the right audience, but mostly for public relations only (And this is the unfortunate bit of it). Given the audience I saw on TV, Shk. Mubajje could not have blundered at all. He said something that would make everyone comfortable but that does not mean he actually wants to sit with his opponents and find a solution to the Unity problem. Briefly let me show you what he has said or done in the past, which amounted to nothing at the end.

1. 14 years ago when he had just taken the oath of the office of Mufti, he made several promises to the Muslim community. One of those promises which was and still is extremely fundamental was the revision of the UMSC constitution. He acknowledged that it was one of those things that have to be put right. We gave him deafening applause for his courage, but more than a decade later nothing was done. Today, his position is that there is nothing wrong with the UMSC constitution and he uses it in the same way as those who were there before him – to keep himself in power. These days, in almost all his speeches, he reminds the Muslim community that the constitution is the only guide we have to follow. [I am not against following the constitution, the point I am making is the promise to amend it, which has been completely side lined]

2. Before the controversial UMSC elections of 2012, Mufti Mubajje had initiated talks with the Kibuli through Dr. Ahmad Kisuule. They met at a government function, Sheikh Mubajje asked Dr. Kisuule to approach the Kibuli faction with the idea of setting up a talking team to resolve the conflict. The two groups appointed their members and talks began (They talked for a couple of months and agreed on many issues). Just as they were about to complete the exercise, the Mubajje team abandoned the talks without justification and went ahead to conduct elections unilaterally. As we all remember, the breakdown of those talks and the eventual unilateral elections, almost cost lives. The gulf between the groups widened, because of breach of trust.

3. During the days of the 2012 UMSC elections, Mufti Mubajje made it public that he wanted to retire. He insisted however that before he does so, elections must take place according to the UMSC constitution so that he hands over to someone who is legally elected. In fact to a certain extent, this was presented as a key justification for holding the 2012 elections. We used to hear propaganda to the effect that he had been offered a UN job and was therefore preparing to leave. Now it is over 2 years and talk of retirement went cold.

For me, these things are important. If a leader keeps talking things which he is not ready to do, I do not see any reason why I should get excited at his pronouncements. That is why I am interpreting Sheikh Mubajje’s statement at the burrial of Sheikh Kiruta as a Public relations statement only. It will amount to nothing.

Dear brothers and sisters, in this post, I did not mean to attack Mufti Mubajje at all. But the truth is that he is a leader. Our community has suffered the problem of disunity for so many decades. For at least 1.5 decades he is the one who has been at the helm of community leadership. We must stand up and tell him that he is wrong, when he is. We must stop clapping where it is not necessary. That is why people are taking us for a ride. That is why I have decided in my post today to speak openly and frankly about his promises / and actions that have left a bad track record, in the hope that we can have a constructive debate. We get nothing from pinning our hope on empty promises.

Imam Kasozi, you have stated the reasons why you refused to go to the Kabwegyere committee, and I agree with you. Your reasons are clear – you know that Museveni has no interest in Muslim unity (on the basis of his past actions). Similarly, I can tell you with confidence that Sheikh Mubajje will not follow through with what he promised. Give it a try, you will share with us your experiences.

Muslim