Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja has defended President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s move to gift Muhammad Galabuzi, the Supreme Mufti of Kibuli Muslim faction with a brand new car early this week.
Nabbanja was responding to Old Kampala Mufti Sheikh Shaban Ramathan Mubajje who accused top government officials of fuelling the ongoing infighting and divisionism among Muslims.
During Id Elftri celebrations, Mubajje blasted government officials who gave gifts including cars to people who run away from the main Muslim association body the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council.
Mubajje added that such actions are empowering the other groups that run away to think that they are recognised by the sitting government of the country.
However, in her response, Nabbanja said that sheikh Galabuzi’s team approached her and asked for the car from President Museveni just like he has always done for other religious leaders.
She explained that when she received Galabuzi’s concern, she tabled it before the cabinet which was chaired by the President and he accepted to grant Galabuzi his wish.
“Yes, it is true I was the one who took the car to Kibuli with my friend Hajjat Minsa Kabanda the minister for Kampala.
“It was not a crime but I was implementing the president’s directive because he has been giving cars to all religious leaders. I think it is not right to accuse us in government of fuelling divisionism and infighting among Muslims,” Nabbanja said.
She told Mubajje that Museveni has assigned her to play a supervisory role in the ongoing Muslim constitution amendment and the coming elections of Muslim leadership.
She noted that the Kibuli function should participate in the election together with other Muslim groups.
This is the same message that Nabbanja delivered to Prince Dr. Kassim Nakibinge Kakungulu, the Tuter of Muslim community in Uganda.
However, in his response, Dr. Nakibinge noted that as Kibuli, their hands are open for reconciliation but there should be openness and truthfulness in the process.
“All of us know the reason why we left Kampalamukadde and those reasons should first be addressed, then we shall reconcile,” Nakibinge said.
Sheikh Obed Kamulegeya, a senior sheikh insisted that the problems stalling the reconciliation process of the Muslim community in the country are mainly in Buganda because Muslim leaders in this region think only about themselves but in other regions, Muslims are united.
“That’s the reason why even in politics, here in Buganda we are performing poorly because of that selfishness and we must fight that vice,” Kamulegeya said.
