28/06/2024
M***i Resolves Impasse Among Muslim Leaders in Bunyoro Muslim District
His Eminence Dr. Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje, the M***i of Uganda, conducted a day-long working visit to the Bunyoro Muslim District on Thursday, June 27, 2024. This visit was prompted by several petitions from Bunyoro District Muslim leaders, seeking his intervention after disputes and misunderstandings arose due to poor governance of educational institutions and income-generating projects, which violated UMSC constitutional provisions.
The M***i was accompanied by UMSC heads of department, including Hon. Haj Abbas Muluubya Ssekyanzi, UMSC Secretary General; Hon. Arinda Abdu- Razaq, Deputy Secretary General in charge of development & planning, Hon. Haj Ali Juma Ngobi, Secretary of Finance & Planning; Sheikh Imran Ssali, Secretary for Religious Affairs; Sheikh Juma Bakhit Cucu, Education Secretary; Hon. Were Abubaker Wandaghor, Chairperson UMSC Electoral Commission; and Mr. Shaban Magala, Transport Officer, among others. Before the meeting, he visited the District Kadhi's office, where he was received by Sheikh Hussein Ghalib Amooti, Regional Assistant in charge of Bunyoro-Toro Muslim region; Sheikh Musa Babanja, the host Kadhi; and members of the General Assembly. He also toured the ongoing construction of the Regional offices at the historic Muslim Bwikya Hill in Hoima Oil City.
The main meeting was held at Bwikya Islamic Institute, where the M***i was warmly welcomed by students from Bwikya Islamic Institute and nearby schools. The Bunyoro Muslim District council meeting was officially opened in the midmorning, with welcoming remarks first by the care-taker Kadhi, Sheikh Musa Babanja, followed by the elderly District Chairperson, Mr. Abdul Kayinja. Mr. Kayinja presented a detailed report highlighting pressing issues, including the Kadhi holding office illegally after exceeding the age limit, a stalled impeachment process against District Secretary Iddi Magezi, and an attempt to lease Bwikya Islamic Institute and other leased properties without accountability.
Government area leaders, Mr. Ntuyo Shafii, Assistant Resident District Commissioner in charge of Hoima East Division, and Mr. Kasugga Amuli Kintu, Assistant Resident District Commissioner in charge of Hoima West Division, emphasized the importance of peaceful conflict resolution. Sheikh Hussain Ghalib also spoke about efforts to address the challenges and mentioned the replacement of the Regional Secretary due to inefficiency.