IT’S now official, Dr. Jacob L. Oulanyah is the Speaker 11th Parliament. He has been elected by 310 members of Parliament at the 1st sitting today at Kololo Airstrip.
Out going Speaker Rt. Hon. Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga came second with 197 votes and FDC Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda with only 15 votes. The total votes cast were 524, only 2 invalid votes.
“I therefore now declare Hon. Jacob Oulanyah who has obtained the highest number of votes as the Speaker parliament of Uganda.” Declared Chief justice His lordship Owinyi Dollo who presided over the election of Speaker of Parliament.
We congratulate the new Speaker and wish you goodluck
MEN EAT BIG: Speaker Oulanyah and John Patrick Amama Mbabazi. JPAM is bouncing back
NEWS EDITOR newseditor.info@gmail.com
THE ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) has today morning betrayed women who have been at the forefront of supporting President Museveni and his political party. The only lady who has been leading one of the three arms making up the government, has been locked out, giving out this office to a man. President Museveni, deputised by Hon. Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi are leading the Executive. Chief Justice His Lordship Alphonse Owiny-Dollo heads Judiciary and deputised by Richard Butera. The third arm of government, the Legislature has also fallen to Hon. Dr. Jacob L. Oulanyah. Women have been officially locked out. In today’s CEC meeting, party leaders like Alhaj Moses Kigongo raised this serious issue of gender balance but other leaders disregarded his reasoning. This comes at a time when another woman, Rt. Hon. Justine Kasule Lumumba is set to lose her office of NRM Secretary General as President Museveni is returning Rt. Hon. John Patrick Amama Mbabazi to steer on Plot 10, Kyadondo. All indicators show, Mbabazi is set to be appointed both Prime minister and NRM Secretary General. Now the only vacant position which President Museveni might compensate to women, is that of the Vice president. State House circles say, The Head of State is considering Justine Kasule Lumumba for this seat, being a staunch Catholic. His only worry, she is unpopular in Busoga. It’s only Kadaga who has full support in Busoga and went through an election which she massively won. But Museveni a protestant, can’t appoint a prime minister, a vice president and now a Speaker when they are all protestants. It’s a tricky puzzle for president Museveni, dropping a popular Kadaga is one of a great mistake, Muzeeyi must avoid. We are reliably told, President is now busy playing his cards to see how to calm down Kadaga, a lady who thinks could have beaten Oulanyah hands down if they had gone to polls. It’s a tricky situation for Muzeeyi, women are looking at NRM as a user after it has chosen to sideline them and gave out all juicy offices to men. Let’s watch the space!
In the photo: NRM Party boss Yoweri Museveni with Rt. Hon. Kadaga and CEC members at State House yesterday
BY ISSA KATO
IN 2017 a debate on the lifting of the age limit bill ensued and took center stage in the 10th parliament almost causing a constitutional crisis. The bill which was tabled by former Igara East Mp Hon. Raphael Magezi was championed by a crop of young turks in Parliament and indeed at the end the article 102 clause 5 was scrapped remove the cap on the age limit for political contenders both young and old as long as they are adults. While promoters of the bill felt the power of championing a matter in the interest of king makers and the powers that be, it was a grave political miscalculation although it had short-term financial yields as all NRM party members were paid handsomely to pass the historical bill which was to eventually aid Gen. Museveni’s grip on the throne. The aftermath impact of the age limit debate and subsequent voting perterns are something the current NRM caucus members ought to pay strategic attention to or they help themselves find an exit route from the national assembly. The 10th parliament NRM legislators who took a blanket bandwagon decision to vote for the removal of the age limit against the will of the people they represent could not make it to the 11th parliament.
Most of them lost in party primaries and even many of those who took advantage of the party electoral weaknesses to grab the flag lost in the general elections including in areas of strong NRM base.
On the other hand, NRM legislators who remained liberal and represented the views of their constituents in that debate were rewarded with another term. For example, in Sembabule hon Sekikibo Theodore who was against the bill retained his seat, while wealthy Sam Kutesa saved himself the humiliation and retired from elective politics. Raphael Magezi, the architect of the bill who was shortly after it’s passing was wise and declined to contest, while many of his comrades like former Koboko woman MP Anite Evelyn lost their seats. Like Sekikibo, other prominent Mps who opposed the bandwagon like Hon Tinkasimire, Wilfred Nuwagaba were able to retain their seats by public approval.
In Hoima district, Hon Pius Wakabi who voted as sent by his constituents of Bugahya county was in fact rewarded by bouncing back to the house unopposed.
SG Lumumba calls for a caucus meeting today
If the the current NRM caucus is to start on a credibility ticket to handle legislative business and remain in high esteem of their electorates it is important for them to individually study the nature of decision to make while chosing a Speaker for the 11th parliament right from caucus to the house. With the precence set by the age limit bill and the infamous OTT tax, it is important for individual NRM Mps to remember that their constituents are watchful and actually have leaned to be punitive to premitive political bandwagonry that if not careful many will procure their exit tickets in their maiden deliberation if they make mistakes with the Speakership race which by public opinion should be won by the Rt Hon Rebecca Kadaga both at caucus level and in the National assembly if no underhand machinations are employed by her opponents!
The writer Issa Kato is a former NRM aspirit for MP Kampala Central
PRESSURE mounts camp Oulanyah as the Central Executive Committee (CEC), which is the NRM top organ has for the second time refused to give Jacob Oulanyah, the speaker job on a silver plater in today’s hot meeting sitting at State House, Entebbe. Meeting has been adjourned to tomorrow Sunday at 8am, when CEC is expected to make a final decission before Party Caucus sits. Oulanyah’s camp had much expectation that CEC would clear their man so that they dont go into an election which is tricky to win. God has however not answered their prayer. His chief campaigner, former Kiboga district woman MP Hon. Ruth Nankabirwa said Speaker deal was sealed in 2016. But from what transpired in the first CEC sitting on Monday this week, and from what has transpired today at State House, former Government chief whip must have lied. Rt. Hon. Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga one of the contestants is on record accusing Nankabirwa for spreading lies and blackmailing CEC on how the 11th Parliament speaker was settled in 2016 during a CEC meeting. According to our sources at State House Entebbe, today’s meeting was chaired by NRM Vice chairman Haji Moses Kigongo. Party chairman Yoweri Kaguta Museveni attended the meeting and was listening.
THE RULING National Resistance Movement (NRM) party leadership has stopped the outgoing Government Chief Whip, Ruth Nankabirwa from participating in the organization of the primary election for Speaker of Parliament. Nankabirwa has been the Caucus Chairperson for 5 years by the virtue of her ministerial position. She has positioned herself as the number one promoter of the outgoing deputy speaker Jacob Oulanyah. An official memo sent out by the NRM Chairperson Electoral Commission, Tanga Odoi on Friday evening, did not include the outgoing Caucus Chairperson in any activity. Oulanyah and his camp had banked all their hopes in Nankabirwa to make sure Rebecca Kadaga is rejected by the Central Executive Committee and even Caucus. Now it is only President Yoweri Museveni and Tanga Odoi who are going to handle the election of the Speaker. According to Tanga’s communication, MPs are expected to arrive at State Hous between 8AM and 9AM on Sunday. Second on the agenda is President Yoweri Museveni, who is the Chairman of the party, calling the meeting to order at 10:00AM. It will be followed by the traditional singing of the National Anthem which has been allocated 5 minutes and meant to end at 10:05AM. 10:05AM-10:20AM is allocated for prayers to be followed by communication from the chair to last 40 minutes until 11:00AM. NRM Electoral Commission will take charge from 11:00AM to specifically conduct the election for the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker of Parliament. The results will be declared by Tanga at 2:00PM.
OPPOSITION political parties in Uganda have sounded war drums ahead of Speaker of Parliament elections on Monday 24th May 2021. They have vowed, if ruling NRM error and bring a ‘stubborn’ Jacob Oulanyah for Speaker who has already threatened to suffocate opposition members of Parliament, they will have remained with no other option but to make Parliament ungovernable for him. Speaking to a section of journalists at Parliament on Thursday, Justice Forum president who doubles as Bugiri Municipality legislator Asuman Basalirwa said, they are aware Oulanyah and a clique of his supporters are fighting Rt. Hon. Rebecca Kadaga because she has been giving space to opposition legislators to speak on behalf of their voters. “Under which rules of procedure are opposition MPs not supposed to represent their voters in Parliament? If those fronting him think he can shut our mouth in Parliament, then we are going for a war.” Declares Hon. Asuman Basalirwa. He vowed, “Parliament will be a battle ground. We will make Parliament unruly and government ungovernable for president Museveni and his people.” The former Makerere University Guild President said, Oulanyah cant turn Parliament into his home, Members of Parliament have a right to legislate and raise matters of National importance on the floor. “A speaker who thinks he can stop MPs from airing out issues affecting their constituencies, a speaker who thinks he will lock out the opposition Mps, is just day dreaming. To hell with dictstorship in the Parliament of Uganda. Let NRM make a mistake and front Oulanyah who has already threatened our MPs, we will fight to protect and defend the constitution. It will not be business as usual. ” Said Hon. Basalirwa who is a lawyer by profession. Oulanyah is on record for blocking opposition MPs from submitting in the plenary. He is remembered one day, for having blocked then Kampala Woman MP Nabillah Naggayi while he was presiding over the August House. Nabilah had taken to the floor to raise a matter of National importance but as soon as she started her submission, ‘Speaker’ Oulanyah barked at her and ordered to take her seat. Asuman Basalirwa said if this behaviour is a ticket on which a clique of NRM members are fronting Oulanyah for Speaker, that is a bad deal. What Ugandans experienced in 2017 during debate to ammend article 102 (b) in Parliament was nothing compared to what 11th Parliament is set to experience. “We will turn Parliament into a battle ground, we will not tolerate that arrogance. President Museveni and his people must stand warned.” Noted Hon. Basalirwa. In the same line, 10th Parliament DP whip who entered 11th Parliament on NUP ticket Hon. Joseph Gonzaga Ssewungu recalls when he stood up during the plenary to read out names of suffering Ugandans, but Oulanyah ruled him out. The Kalungu West legislator said, “Oulanyah is too biased. He thinks he can be used to phase out opposition in Parliament. That mission is impossible. He can instead create more confusion and rifts among MPs. Those fronting him have personal reasons. Him and his funders will lose this war.” Oulanyah has been branding most MPs as substandard and while picking papers at NRM EC headquarters on Friday, he promised to raise the bar in Parliament. Analysts say, Oulanyah is targeting opposition MPs and will deny them time to legislate. On Friday night, while featuring on 107.9fm Pearl of Africa radio political talkshow, newly elected Makindye East youthful MP Derrick Nyeko who is remembered for leading youth riots in Makindye said that Oulanyah is NRM’s worst mistake that the Opposition should swiftly rectify.
A REKNOWN top Muslim owned radio station in Kampala capital, Uganda has carried out a free and fair opinion poll to ascertain, who is likely to win the race for Speakership if elections are conducted today. It suggests that Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga grabs the lead with 85%, Jacob Oulanyah 11%, Ibrahim Ssemujju 2.1% and DP man Ssebamala got 1%. Next week on Monday May 2021, 529 newly sworn-in members of the 11th Parliament will convene at Kololo Airstrip in Kampala to elect both their Speaker and deputy Speaker.
YELLOW MOTHER: Kadaga at NRM Party EC headquarters in Kampala where she was on Wednesday this week, cleared to contest for Speaker Parliamentof Uganda
This comes after MPs took the oath of allegiance and oath of Member of Parliament, a function which lasted for four days from Monday May 17th 2021 to May 20th 2021. Through their popular ‘Omukeeze’ radio program which airs from Monday to Friday 6:30am to 10am on 94.1fm radio Bilal, a station owned by Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) at Old Kampala, show hosts put out a question to hundreds of their listeners/voters to call in and choose who they want for Speaker of the 11th Parliament of Uganda. This radio stretches to parts of Westnile, covers Eastern region (Busoga and Bugishu), Buganda and parts of Western. It is among the few selected radios with a bigger coverage. Many dont go beyond their regions of origin. For radio Bilal, it does. Callers who voted Speaker came from different parts of the country. Others voted online since this radio can be accessed online.
HOW THE OPINION POLL WAS CARRIED OUT Leading show host Shamie Ssekatawa commonly known as ‘Super lady’ put out a question and opened studio lines for callers to make their choice. In her sweet voice, Shamie Ssekatawa said, “So far, there are four candidates aspiring for the Speaker’s job. NRM is yet to choose who between Rt. Hon. Rebecca Kadaga and Rt. Hon. Jacob Oulanyah will carry the party flag. FDC has Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda (Kira Municipality MP) and Richard Ssebamala (Bukoto central) is the DP candidate.” Hosting the show alongside senior journalists Ssalongo Hassan Male and Ali Mugalula (Brig. Mzee Ssekirembeka), Ssekatawa read out four names: Rebecca Kadaga, Jacob Oulanyah, Ibrahim Ssemujju and Richard Ssebamala. “Our lines are now open. Call 0759058666, 0392002493 and tell us who your Member of Parliament should vote for as Speaker of the 11th Parliament.” Callers who included Paul from Kisekka, Mudathiru Ali of Makindye, called in to vote. Out of over 70 callers, Oulanyah got 3 votes, Ssemujju 6 and for Ssebamala, he failed to get a single vote. Every time, show hosts would remind callers names of the other candidates in the race, but it’s like, they didnt see potential in them to lead Parliament. Callers branded Kadaga as a true human rights defender, incorruptible, Impartial and a performer. “She is a speaker for all. Always neutral and fair while presiding over the August House. Oulanyah is short tempered, can easily box an MP. Our MPs should not vote for boxer but a leader for all.” Said a caller from Westnile who directed his NRM MP to vote for Kadaga. Other callers talked to, said two of the three arms of government can’t be led by on region (Northern Uganda) saying this will be a grave mistake. Apart from the Executive which is led by President Museveni from the Western part of the country, if Oulanyah wins Parliament,another Northerner Owinyi Dollo will be leading Judiciary and Legislature. This means, other regions will be left out. Callers said, Speaker of Parliament should be a listening leader citing and incident when Oulanyah barked at then Kampala woman MP who was raising a matter of National importance and ordered her to sit down. “We have not sent our MPs in a war zone. Oulanyah is good at commanding in a battle field. Parliament is like a home, all legislators must be listened to. They are our representatives. Any one who will shut up our voices isn’t Speaker material.” Said Kitikyamuwogo, a member of NRM media radio Callers. NRM callers accused Oulanyah of hiding when the party badly needed his presence during the age limit debate. “He absconded from duty when we wanted him most. Rt. Hon. Kadaga came in to save the situation. As NRM party we scored when Oulanyah was absent. With Kadaga still at Parliament as Speaker and Mr. Museveni as our President, NRM is secure.” Said Lutwama Afrika. Later on Thursday night, on the same radio, Ismail Kalumba Butannaziba a political talkshow host conducted another opinion poll. Through his ‘Bwe byali si bwebiri’ talkshow aired from 10pm to 12am, out of 50 Callers, 45 voted Kadaga, 3 Ssemujju, Oulanyah 1 and Ssebamala 1. Among the callers who voted Kadaga were: Abbey Muweesi, Lubwama Mukubabyasi, Hon. John Ken Lukyamuzi (Former Lubaga South MP) and Moses e Kisoga.
In the photo: Hon. Mukasa with wife Lilian at Parliament. Left is Ms. Annet Nayiga, mother to the MP
By Jovita Nakintu PARLIAMENT
SMARTLY clad in a light grey suit and a red necktie, Lubaga South MP Mukasa Aloysius Talton Gold today (Wednesday) morning at 9:45 am sharp, in the name of the Almighty God took an oath to be faithful and bear true allegiance to the Republic of Uganda, to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution. Accompanied by his beautiful wife Lilian Kobugabe and mother Annet Nayiga among others, Hon. Mukasa also took a second oath of Member of Parliament to give faithful service to the 11th Parliament, support and uphold the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda as by law established. Shortly after, Mukasa addressed media at Parliament and vowed to use this platform, to fight what he called discriminatory laws, killings and arrest of opposition politicians.
HERE TO DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION: MP Mukasa giving his maiden speech after swearing in
Speaking with the American accent, a fluent Mukasa said, “I am going to be a whistle blower, am going to be an eye opener, I am going to be a defender against repugnant actions of selfish leaders. I won’t myself and the House that I am going to be sitting in to be blamed for the current negativities that are happening in the country.” The opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) party legislator said, “I am going to fight indiscriminate killings, indiscriminate arrests of our brothers and sisters in opposition.” This comes at a time when hundreds of political prisoners are in jails. MP Mukasa talked about the dilapidated economy saying Parliament where he sits must perfectly allocate tax payers money so as to help arrest poverty in the country. Looking at his constituency, Mukasa said even though it calls for him to be a sacrificial lamb, he will, and no one will silence him as he fights to end floods in Lubaga every time it rains, unemployment and poor service delivery. Asked about the allegations that his academic papers are questionable, Mukasa who is a graduate of Business Administration at Ndejje University advised those behind these false rumours to concentrate on productive issues or else, they will keep on getting embarrassed. “We massively won the elections, we will always trounce such enemies of the people. ignore their intrigue, we will never be diverted. It is now time for the history of Lubaga South to be rewritten.” “Here is the real legislator, the real voice of the voiceless, I have come for real business. I will never be a disappointment to my beloved Lubaga South voters.” Pledged successful businessman Mukasa Aloysius. Mukasa, trounced the incumbent Paul Kato Lubwama and other twelve candidates including NRM’s Charles Kenneth Male, DP’s Eugenia Nassolo and SDP’s Samuel Lubega Mukaaku.
Joy as Mukasa Aloysius enters Parliament
He massively beat other candidates who included; JEEMA’s, Kifampa Silaje, Mugga Adam Swift (Independent), Lufunya Derrick (Independent), faded politician Ken Lukyamuzi (CP), Buwembo Habib (FDC), Kiyingi Denis ( Independent), Nakanwagi Grace (Independent), Sebugwawo Mbidde Denis (Independent) and Kayemba Michael Oscar (Independent). Click here:ALL IS SET FOR MONEY-MAGNET MUKASA ALOYSIUS TO SWEAR IN AS LUBAGA SOUTH MP 2021-2026 Aloysius Mukasa polled 49,501 (Forty Nine thousand, five hundred and one) and Nassolo came second with 12,893 (Twelve thousand, Eight Hundred ninety three) votes only. Congratulations Hon. Aloysius Mukasa
TODAY (Tuesday), Lubaga South Constituency won’t go to sleep! Supporters are running helter skelter preparing for the historical day, tomorrow Wednesday 19th May 2021 a day their beloved Member of Parliament Aloysius Mukasa Talton Gold will be swearing the oath of allegiance and oath of Member of Parliament. Every shade of preparation is being made. People from all walks of life in Lubaga South have joined together to celebrate their big win. All is set for this money-magnet to swear-in tomorrow and preparations for mega celebrations in the constituency will then kick off. Mukasa, trounced the incumbent Paul Kato Lubwama and other twelve candidates including NRM’s Charles Kenneth Male, DP’s Eugenia Nassolo and SDP’s Samuel Lubega Mukaaku.
Hon. Aloysius Mukasa
A successful businessman who is among Hon. Bobi Wine’s top confidants, Hon. Aloysius Mukasa contested on opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) ticket, massively winning other candidates to be declared winner by The Electoral Commission Kampala Returning officer. Other candidates who Mukasa humiliated included; JEEMA’s, Kifampa Silaje, Mugga Adam Swift (Independent), Lufunya Derrick (Independent), faded politician Ken Lukyamuzi (CP), Buwembo Habib (FDC), Kiyingi Denis ( Independent), Nakanwagi Grace (Independent), Sebugwawo Mbidde Denis (Independent) and Kayemba Michael Oscar (Independent). Aloysius Mukasa polled 49,501 (Forty Nine thousand, five hundred and one) and Nassolo came second with 12,893 (Twelve thousand, Eight Hundred ninety three) votes only. In fact, no MP candidate in Kampala won with such a high percentage apart from Aloysius Mukasa and Shamim Malende (Woman MP-elect Kampala). Hon. Mukasa holds a Bachelors in Business Administration from Ndejje University, Advanced Certificate in Business Administration and during nominations, he presented fully certified Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education and Uganda Certificate of Education.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT HON. ALOYSIUS MUKASA Youthful Talton Gold Aloysious Mukasa is a reknown businessman in Ndeeba and Najjanankumbi in Lubaga South Constituency. He was born and raised by his mother Annet Nayiga in Mutundwe, Church Zone in Lubaga South. His father is Aloysious Kalyango of Kyengera Mugongo. Mukasa owns a magnificent home in Najjanankumbi. He attended Uganda Martyrs Primary School in Lubaga, Kazinda Primary school Kyengera now Kampala Model, Lubiri SS and St. Marys Kitende a first World School, where thousands of students massively voted him their Head prefect. He is also an old boy of Merryland High School Kigungu in Entebbe. He was awarded an Advanced certificate in Business Adminstration and also graduated with a Bachelors in Business Managent at MUBS. Last year, Mukasa graduated with Bachelors in Business Administration from Ndejje University. He deals in Food suppliments, he is also the proprietor of Dascus Nursery School, a first world school in Najjanankumbi. He is also the owner of Bex Limited, a company producing disinfectants among other businesses. Through his campaigns which saw him elected area MP, Mukasa said Lubaga South lacks good healthy facilities, youth especially mechanics are not supported, Women groups need to be facilitated to fight poverty. As evidence that he has not joined politics to get money, years ago, Mukasa single handedly constructed a tamacked road in St. Anne Zone near Faith Arena Church which was in a sorry state . It costed him around UGX 500Millions. This road was being used by law breakers at night to steal bodabodas, rape women at night and kill people. The Zone council sat and resolved to name this road after Aloysius Mukasa as a reward for his generous heart. While meeting local and youth leaders in Mutundwe during campaigns, Mukasa said, “Lubaga South needs a fresh substitute who will speak in Parliament and act. I am a performer. We are tired of floods in Lubaga every time it rains, floods destroy our homes and sweep away businesses. This problem must end when I take over. We pay huge taxes why get poor service?” Lubaga South voted him for being a down to earth leader, approachable, a true people’s servant and their own son whom they have seen grooming. He has vowed never to be corrupted and divert from the real causes as to why he was elected. We join thousands of Lubaga South voters to congratulate you Hon. Aloysius Mukasa.
HIS Eminence Sheik Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje, the Muslim ultimate leader in Uganda has sent a tough warning to leaders killing innocent lives without mercy that they should know that they will also die, and pay for their sins, so let them tread very carefully. He demanded that all political prisoners are set free. Muslims in Uganda joined the rest of believers around the World to commemorate Eid-El Fitri prayers upon the successful completion of this year’s holy Month of Ramadhan. Speaking to hundreds of Muslims today Thursday morning Eid-El Fitri prayers at the National Mosque, Old Kampala, Mufti Mubaje asked President Museveni to free political prisoners now that elections are done and was yesterday sworn-in for the 6th elective term of office. A number of opposition National Unity Platform party members were arrested before, during and after the hotly contested Presidential elections. Calls from political leaders to free them have been futile.
Mufti Mubaje speaking during Eid prayers today
Congratulating Mr. Museveni upon being sworn-in on Wednesday May 12th 2021, Mufti Mubaje said, “We call upon His Excellency the President to pardon all those in confinement due to this political situation in the country. Let them be released, let them enjoy the freedom with their families.” “Some of them are Muslims, they wanted to enjoy Eid El-fitri with their families. So we plead Mr. President to pardon these people.” Said Mubaje who also called upon all Ugandans to come together, forget the past, get united and begin the normal life as usual. Mufti Mubaje sympathised with Bodaboda riders whose motorcycles were confiscated and impounded on Tuesday for failure to observe curfew time. He said, “I have seen thousands of these motorbikes at different police stations. It’s a desperate move by our youth to get daily bread. That is why they were still moving at late hours. Please, let them be pardoned at no cost and go back to their normal lives.” During Eid prayers in which the Deputy Mufti His Eminence Sheikh Abdallah Ibrahim Ssemambo Tamusuza delivered the day’s sermon describing Ramadhan as a special period whereby the Almighty Allah showers his divine bounties on Humanity that nourishes the believers’ souls and physical bodies through self discipline, Mufti Mubaje had no kind words against the International community that has gone mute about the war between Israel and Pakistan. Mubaje said, “For those who have been unable to fast due to one reason or another, sickness, those who are under confinement, those who are on battle grounds, we pray that Allah gives them peace.” “And let those killing innocent lives have mercy and know that they will also die. We condemn in the strongest terms possible the invasion of the Israelis on our brothers and sisters in the West Bank which is taking place and is on going.” Said Mufti Mubaje noting that, “During the month of Ramathan, instead of allowing them to enjoy the worship of their Allah and the happiness of fasting, they are killing them, they are bombarding our brothers as we talk now. And the international community is silent.” Mubaje revealed that no body is coming out to condemn these high barbaric acts, except one or two Muslim countries. He prayed that justice should prevail so that these people gain their freedom. Talking about the Palestine people, Mubaje said, their land is occupied and no body seems to bother about their fate, whether this situation should continue endlessly or it has to stop. “Those who are in wars globally, let them come to negotiating tables and resolve their conflicts peacefully instead of resorting to bloodshed. I think Covid-19 has hit human lives badly, it’s enough. Let leaders preserve the lives of our brothers and sisters in Palestine.” Urged Mubaje. On completion of the Holy month of Ramathan, the Mufti urged Muslims to remain steadfast in worshipping the Almighty Allah and lead righteous lives that include being passionate towards vulnerable people as they have been doing during Ramadhan. He beseeched the Almighty God to bless the souls of deceased Muslims including UMSC Leaders who passed on recently and ease the suffering of people globally who are bedridden due to different ailments including Covid-19 and inmates in different detention facilities. He thanked all Embassies, NGOs and media for donating food items to the needy during the month of Ramathan and for sensitising the Muslims about the Holy month of Ramathan. When he was called to address the Muslims, Nadduli thanked the Mufti and his team for the wonderful leadership at Uganda Muslim Supreme Council. He also thanked Muslims for fasting comending them that, “I have not heard, seen or read from media who are very good smugglers, that a certain Moslem was seen coming out of a bar at night during Ramathan. Thank you and please continue observing your Islamic Faith.” He talked about himself as a son of one of the 324 great warriors who fought the Islamic war from 1890 to 1892 making sure Islam remains strong in Uganda. “We are here because they fought to save our religion.” Said Nadduli, the deputy Chairman of Uganda Muslim Supreme Council. The prayers were attended by many dignitaries including His Eminence Sheikh Muhammad Ali Waiswa, the 2nd Deputy Mufti, Haj Abdu Nadduli, UMSC Deputy Chairman/Former Central government Minister, UMSC Hon. Secretary General Ramathan Mugalu, Hon. Haruna Kasolo, the Minister for Finance in charge of Microfinance, Hon. Isaac Musumba, former Minister, Haj Mutwalib Ssajabi Tezikuba, a retired Presidential Advisor, International Guests From US, Libya and UMSC Staff among others.
