Luwero, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Talks between rival Muslim factions in Luwero district over the dispute arising from the establishment of a market on the land belonging to Uganda Muslim Supreme Council-UMSC have collapsed following the withdrawal of the mediator from the talks.
Three weeks ago, the Kadhi Luwero Muslim district Sheikh Ramadhan Mulindwa offered part of the 20 acre piece of land in Kalongo miti zone near Kasana mosque in Luwero town council to host a produce market. However, a group of Muslims allied to Kibuli base backed by Alhajji Abdul Nadduli, the Vice-Chairman of UMSC opposed the market citing Islamic teachings and strategic plan.
On Monday, a group of Muslims allied to the mainstream Muslim leadership at Old Kampala led by Sheikh Ramadhan Mulindwa and the Kibuli factions were scheduled to tour the market to make a final decision on whether to allow it or not. The Luwero district LC 5 chairman, Erastus Kibirango was the chief mediator between the two groups.
However, when the Kibuli group and Nadduli turned up at his office for renewal of the talks before the tour, Kibirango informed them that he had pulled out after getting a letter asking him to stop meddling in Muslim affairs. He said the June 24th, 2021 letter written by Hajji Twaha Gwaivu, the chairperson of the East Buganda Muslim region informed him that all matters concerning Muslim property must be handled by Kadhi who is the custodian of Muslim affairs in the district.
Nadduli left shortly after receiving the news and turned down our request for an interview on the matter. Hajji Musa Kakande, the chairperson of Greater Luwero Muslim district under Kibuli said that they were shocked to receive news that the mediator was forced to pull out of the talks yet his efforts were in good faith and aimed at enabling them to reach consensus on the projects. Kakande explained that following the collapse of the talks, they resolved to back the town council and district security committee resolutions blocking the establishment of the market on the land.
But Sheikh Ramadhan Mulindwa, the Kadhi Luwero Muslim District said that he was happy with Kibirango’s withdrawal from the talks because the matter at hand can be resolved by UMSC structures, which has the mandate over the property.
Mulindwa said that they have resolved to ask the chairperson of Luwero Muslim district to convene a general meeting after the COVID-19 lockdown to discuss how the market can operate on the land.
Isa Ssekamwa and Safina Nakalanzi are some of the traders in the disputed market. They appealed to Muslim leaders to leave them to operate on the land since it has been idle for decades.
Luwero town clerk, Irene Nakamatte and LC 3 chairperson Chris John Buwembo insist that the market is illegal because those behind it didn’t consult the authorities before establishing it. The town clerk has already directed the traders to vacate the land and relocate to already existing markets.
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