MUSLIMS opposed to Mufti Sheik Shaban Ramadhan Mubajje have asked the Government to stay out of Muslim affairs.
Sheik Muhammad Kisambira, the group’s interim leader, singled out ethics and integrity minister James Nsaba Buturo, accusing him of interfering in Muslim matters.
The controversy erupted on Monday after the Buganda Road Magistrates Court acquitted Mubajje and two senior Uganda Muslim Supreme Council officials of six charges related to the fraudulent sale of Muslim properties.
Chief Magistrate Margaret Tibulya said evidence was inadequate to convict Mubajje, secretary-general Dr. Idris Kasenene and vice-chairman Hassan Basajjabalaba of fraudulent sale of trust property, forgery and conspiracy to committee a crime.
She said although Mubajje lied to the Muslims that the property had not been sold, deceit and fraud were different.
She, however, acknowledged that telling lies was a serious matter for a leader of a big religious group.
In a reaction to the ruling, the anti-Mubajje camp threatened to oust him and to appoint their own Mufti.
In the run-up to the ruling, the rival camps clashed in and out of court and there had been fears the conflict would explode into full-scale violence.
Buturo on Wednesday warned that anyone fomenting violence would be arrested. He said the parties should instead resolve the matter through dialogue.
He advised any one opposed to the judgment to appeal. But the anti-Mubajje group said the Government has no business in the matter.
“Why is Nsaba Buturo meddling in the Muslim affairs?” Sheik Kisambira asked. “What role does the Government have in our affairs?”
He argued that Muslim affairs were purely governed by the Muslim constitution and that the Government had “no mandate to say anything about our new administration”.
Sheik Kisambira made the remarks while addressing reporters under a mango tree at Kibuli Mosque in Kampala.
He said the anti-Mubajje group elected him and Sheik Nuhu Muzaata as their spokespersons until a new administration is established. Muzaata was the man who initiated the court action against Mubajje.
Early this week, the group announced that they had embarked on a search for their own Mufti.
They hailed the court for ruling that Mubajje lied, saying this had exposed his true character.
Kisambira said their new administration would not sabotage the Government.
He advised Buturo to first deal with Mubajje whom he said had initially denied selling Muslim property.
“As minister for ethics and integrity, he needs to sort out Mubajje before he thinks of sabotaging our activities.”
Muzaata threatened to sue Buturo over the “intimidation”. He displayed a picture which he said was of Mubajje together with unidentified armed men.
“This is Mubajje whom people call their leader. Let the world see the other activities he is involved in,” he said without elaborating. The anti-Mubajje group vowed not to vacate the plot on William Street in Kampala which houses a mosque which the council sold to city businessman Drake Lubega.
Present at the press conference were sheiks Abdul Hakim Ssekimpi, Mustapha Bahiiga, Ismail Mugomba and Haruna Jjemba.
Asked where the new offices would be located, Kisambira said: “Anywhere.”
