{UAH} Mayiga In Trouble With Baganda Muslims

Katikkiro in trouble with Kibuli Muslims

News

Thursday, 26 September 2013 23:14 - The Observer

Written by Sadab Kitatta Kaaya

Katikkiro Peter Mayiga is accused of 'sidelining' muslims

Barely four months into his tenure as katikkiro of Buganda, Charles Peter Mayiga is feeling the heat, as sections of Baganda move to isolate him.

A source at Bulange reveals that some of Mayiga's problems stem from his composition of the Buganda cabinet.

Unlike the previous Katikkiros who were given a team to work with, Mayiga asked the Kabaka for permission to choose his cabinet, a request that was granted.

His named 24 ministers, down from 40 his predecessor had. Officials around him, however, are playing safe.

"I'm not aware of that request he made to the Kabaka but what I know is that the Kabaka is the appointing authority, and the cabinet list was issued by the Kabaka's office," says kingdom spokesman Denis Walusimbi Ssengendo.

Muslims left out?

The new cabinet has four Muslims: Hajji Muhamood Ssemambo Ssekimpi (2nd deputy katikkiro), Ahmed Lwasa (deputy speaker), Hajji Abaasi Mukasa Kawaase (Education and Sports minister) and Mariam Nkalubo Mayanja (Bulungibwansi and Kabaka's travels).

But the Muslim community thinks these are too few, accusing Mayiga of sidelining them at a time when they are complaining of the same treatment from the central government.

At Mengo, the position of Lukiiko speaker has previously been a preserve of the Muslims, but they lost the job to Nelson Kawalya. Mayiga has recently constituted committees to head various kingdom organs but only a handful of Muslims have joined.

To beat off this criticism, the katikkiro has used various platforms and audiences to water down such religious sentiments, saying his choice of the kingdom's servants is based on merit.

"Instead of looking at how many Catholics, Muslims or Protestants that have been appointed to serve in various positions, we should look at how best that person can work for the development of our society.

That's why wherever I leave Lubaga [the seat of the Catholic Church] I begin looking at myself as a Muganda, a servant of the Kabaka," said Mayiga, during a recent meeting with the Buganda parliamentary caucus.

Several Muslim clerics responded through their Friday sermons, wondering whether there were not enough competent Muslims to get appointed.

Boycott

In his maiden address to the Lukiiko (Buganda Parliament) on June 24, Mayiga announced a programme for his thanksgiving prayers, which began at Lubaga cathedral on Friday, June 28.

He was supposed to follow with prayers at Kibuli Mosque and later to other religious denominations. He was scheduled to go back to Kibuli for the Eid-ul-Fitri prayers and pray at Mbulire mosque in Bukomansimbi on August 23. His visit to mosques has, however, been blocked following a resolution by the Kibuli-based Muslim leadership.

A source at Kibuli has told us that the leadership there was upset by a letter Mayiga wrote to Prince Kassim Nakibinge, asking the titular head of the Muslims, to organize the prayers. The July 4 letter was signed by an aide in the Katikkiro's office, which was interpreted by the prince as demeaning. Mayiga had asked the prince to arrange for his entourage of 100 people to gather in Kibuli for prayers, on July 12.

The Kibuli meeting wrote back to the Katikkiro a day later, asking Mayiga to feel free to attend prayers at the mosque as an ordinary member of the public. However, he would have to consult the Imam (official head of the mosque) for any arrangements.

As if to make a point, the Kibuli faction had the letter signed by a junior mosque official. Sources have told us that the meeting also resolved not to invite Mayiga to any Islamic activity unless he apologised to the Muslim community for his perceived hostility.

"When the mosque in Lubiri was demolished, he [Mayiga] sharply criticized JB Walusimbi [former Katikkiro] for going into talks with us and offering to allocate us another plot where a new mosque would be constructed," the source told us.

But kingdom spokesman Walusimbi was more cautious, only saying the trip to Kibuli had been postponed as Nakibinge had other engagements.

"That hostility [towards Muslims] is not there because you'll recall that he is the first Katikkiro to host Muslims here for [an Iftaar dinner] at the end of Ramadhan," Walusimbi told us.

This Iftaar dinner at Bulange gardens was supposed to be presided over by Prince Nakibinge. Instead Nakibinge worshipped at Wandegeya mosque.

Peace talks

It is understood that Mayiga has since met Nakibinge at least two times. But sources at Kibuli insist Nakibinge has asked Mayiga to drop his 'bad heart' for Muslims before they can entertain him.

Prior to his interface with Nakibinge, Mayiga is reported to have sent one of his mentors, Vincent Bbaale Mugera and his wife Princess Sarah Kagere (sister to the Kabaka) as emissaries.

Hate messages against the Katikkiro across mosques have since stopped, offering hope that the boycott may soon be lifted.

"We feared that the continued attacks [against the Katikkiro] would be misinterpreted as direct attacks on the Kabaka," said the Kibuli source.

Apart from the Kibuli troubles, sources say, various cliques have started forming against the Katikkiro. Sources within Bulange say the cliques, some of them formed along religious lines, are anticipating Mayiga's exit and are frantically discussing who could eventually succeed him.

"The ministers now prefer having people of their religious faith closer to them," a source told us.

But kingdom spokesman Walusimbi dismissed this talk as a lie and a non-issue. The Buganda cabinet has been invited for a retreat next week.

sadabkk@observer.ug

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