LUWERO – Two Mosues in Luwero district have been closed indefinitely due to what authorities described as security concerns.
The two affected houses for worship are Masjid Kabir and Masjid Khamis Shafie – both located in Bombo Town Council – along Kampala-Gulu highway in Luwero district.
The district Khadhi, Luwero under the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council- UMSC, Sheikh Ramadhan Mulindwa Nsanja confirmed the closure on Sunday, adding in a statement: “Elected leaders of Masjid Kabir (Masjid Noor Bombo) and Masjid Khamis Shafie have been sworn-in and the two Mosques are temporarily closed for security reasons.”
The development, according to Sheikh Mulindwa, arose from protests staged by a group opposed to the results of the recent National Muslim elections. He claimed that members of a clique who opposed those elections have been leading the followers by force, appointing members from their families to all Mosque positions as they vowed to contest the swearing-in ceremonies organised by those who had organised those polls.
According to Sheikh Mulindwa, this caused misunderstandings between the two factions. The elected ones have been inviting him as the District Kadhi to witness their swearing-in ceremonies. On the contrary, the opposing faction wrote letters stopping and intimidating the Kadhi’s office.
However, the office of the Kadhi has stood firm and went ahead to swear-in the elected leaders. On Friday, at both Mosques in Bombo, Kadhi Mulindwa traveled to do the same. However, this time round, the occasion triggered ugly scenes characterized by chaos from the opposing side. This prompted Khadhi Mulindwa to swiftly engage the District Security to stop the deterioration of the situation.
Khadhi Mulindwa said that he had decided to temporarily close the two Mosques until the warring factions resolved their differences.
“We call upon the District Security to handle this matter administratively,” said Sheikh Mulindwa.
He added: “We continue to thank the brave Muslims and congregations of the two Mosques who stood up for the truth, May the Almighty reward you abundantly and enable the new elected Leaders fulfil their duties in their respective positions.”
Patrick Lule – the acting Savannah Regional Police spokesperson was un available for a comment in regard to the issue.
Early November last year, at a media briefing at Old Kampala Mosque in Kampala the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council –UMSC electoral commission chairperson, Omar Muhammad Wesswa revealed that at least 14 million Muslims were expected to participate in the Muslim national elections.
He said the actual elections of leaders at various levels that would take place at 15,000 registered Mosques were to be conducted on November 18, 2022, 500 counties on November 22, 2022, and 78 Muslim Districts on November 24, 2022.
