UMSC boss assures Muslims: “No one will sell our property”

Luuka, (UG): The chairman of Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) Al-hajj Prof Dr Muhamadi Lubega Kisambira has assured the Muslim community in the country that all Muslim properties are safe and that no one will dare sell their belongings.

This comes just days when a panel of three judges of the Court of Appeal on Thursday nullified the earlier order by a single judge to sell off some Muslim property including the National mosque at old Kampala to secure Uganda shillings 19b and pay off a businessman Justus Kyabahwa who owes UMSC.

Dr Lubega was on Saturday speaking during the burial of an 18-year-old daughter to the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) official, Al-hajj Meddie Bidi Mulumba at Nakisene village, Bulongo sub-county in Luuka district.

“By Allah’s plan and the government we have plus other leaders in the system, ‘Allahamudulillah’ no one will sell your property and we want to thank all people who have played a part, especially the government which has allowed this journey to move in a proper manner,” Prof Dr Lubega said.

He also beseeched the minister for general duties in Office of the Prime Minister(OPM) Hon. Justine Kasule Lumumba, who was in attendance to reach their appreciation to the justice ministry saying, “This time around we saw that truth and justice prevailed. I request all Muslims to come together and steer Islam and we should agree that tests will always come our way but we shouldn’t accept divisions amongst ourselves.”

It should be noted that on November 29, a single judge of the court of Appeal Justice Christopher Gashirabake dismissed UMSC’s appeal that had sought to stop the sale of its properties reasoning that the balance of convenience was to allow businessman Justus Kyabahwa to sell eight prime properties to recover Uganda shillings 19b which he allegedly owes UMSC.

However, being dissatisfied with the decision of Justice Gashirabake, UMSC appealed to a panel of three justices led by Deputy Chief Justice Richard Buteera who on Thursday overturned Justice Gashirabake’s ruling.

In the latest developments, DailyExpress has established that the general assembly has today appointed an interim Mufti Sheikh Abudallah Ssemambo and UMSC chairman Mr. Ali Gule to work in acting capacity for the next six months saying they have relieved Mufti Mubajje and Dr Lubega of their duties.

However, the UMSC had earlier said that being a national leader of Muslims in Uganda, it’s not just as easy to sack Mufti Sheikh Shaban Mubajje as other people think.

Meanwhile, the Minister for General Duties OPM Hon Lumumba urged people at the funeral to work collectively in fighting poverty through setting up collective teams to help each other in eliminating poverty. Lumumba says it’s important for successful citizens to support those struggling to get out of poverty.

“I request that we handle the issue of poverty collectively and if God has helped you please help others in overcoming poverty. Let us learn to set up teamwork right from our families and redeem those sinking in poverty,” Ms Lumumba said before calling upon parents to take responsibility for their children in the long holidays with various festivities.

Hajj Meddie Mulumba commended the people who responded to comfort him during the trying moment and urged parents always to have a love for their children and see the best out of them. Mulumba said the 18-year-old deceased daughter was anticipated to fight corruption in the country after her studies since she was very focused and intolerant to inequities during her lifetime.

The burial was attended by among others, the political leadership of Luuka district led by LCV chairperson Mr Wakaze Simon and Luuka RDC Mr Katende, representatives from NRM secretariat led by NRM chairperson Iganga Hajj Walubi Abubakar, a representative from UHRC led by Ms Shifhrah Lukwago, various leaders in Busoga sub-region and beyond, cultural and religious leaders.