Museveni calls for Muslim unity
Aides help President Museveni to wear shoes at Kibuli Mosque. Mr Museveni joined the Muslim community to mourn the death of Kibuli-based Supreme Mufti Sheikh Zubair Kayongo.
What you need to know:
In his message, President Museveni said Sheikh Kayongo was a peaceful and credible person and his death deprived the Muslim community a lot.
Kampala- President Museveni has appealed to the Muslim community in Uganda to unite to foster development in the country.
The President was yesterday speaking at Kibuli Mosque where he had joined the Muslim community and the general public to mourn the death of Kibuli-based Supreme Mufti Sheikh Zubair Kayongo.
Sheikh Kayongo, 83, succumbed to diabetes and hypertension on Thursday morning at Aga Khan Hospital in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, where he had been admitted shortly after collapsing.
He had gone to Tanzania to join top Muslim leaders for a convention.
In his message, President Museveni said Sheikh Kayongo was a peaceful and credible person and his death deprived the Muslim community a lot.
“Currently, Uganda’s life expectancy is 58 but the Sheikh has died at 83. Even at that age, he was still very strong, especially mentally. His death is a big blow to the Muslim community and his efforts to unite the Muslim community in Uganda,” Mr Museveni said.
Citing the example of Yemen and Syria which have been ravaged by war, Mr Museveni said unity and peace are the only solution to religious extremism.
He also assured mourners that the suspected killers of Muslim clerics will be brought to justice.
“We have arrested many people who have been killing Muslim sheikhs and those who are still on the run shall be arrested,” the President said.
He held a closed meeting with Sheikh Kayongo’s children.
In his message, the titular head of the Muslim community, Prince Kassim Nakibinge, also called for unity among the Muslims.
“What divided us (Muslims) was lack of transparency in the custodianship of our property. But all we need is unity among Muslims,” he said.
He also dispelled reports of a looming conflict between the Buganda Kingdom administration at Mengo and Kibuli Muslim section.
“The disagreement was only between the Katikkiro (prime minister) of Buganda and Sheikh Nuhu Muzaata but that was solved by the Supreme Mufti (Kayongo),” Nakibinge said.
While addressing the mourners, Sheikh Obeid Kamulegeya said: “The Mufti was voted at a time when there were a lot of issues among the Muslims and he has died when we needed him most.”
The Mufti’s body arrived in the country yesterday morning aboard Kenya Airways. His body was taken to his home in Kagoma, Kawempe Division in Kampala for public viewing and later to Kibuli Mosque for a requiem service. The body was later taken to Lwamata village, Kiboga District for burial.
