Don’t Try!! Museveni Intervenes In Muslim Property Sale Saga – Issues Tough Warning

President Museveni has written to Chief Justice Alphonse Owiny Dollo asking him to ensure the looming sale of Muslim property is averted.

In a December, 7, 2023 letter, Museveni says whereas he had heard about the wrangles, he didn’t interfere in them because he was sure there are national institutions to handle them.

“However, I was most surprised to read in Mufti Mubajje’s letter that among the Moslem properties to be affected is the National Mosque at Old Kampala!! Really!! What sane person, let alone a Judge can make such orders? How can a Mosque or Church be attached for debts carelessly entered into by officials of that faith? If there is no law protecting institutions of worship, then common sense is there,” Museveni wondered.

He consequently requested the Chief Justice to review the matter and see how to restore sanity.

“His Eminence Mubajje alleges other examples of misconduct and collusion. You should study all those. What, however, provoked me was the audacity of attaching the National Mosque. The NRM freedom fighters and the government they head, cannot be associated with sick logic.”

“If there is no law protecting Institutions of Worship, then common sense is there. I, therefore, request you to review this matter yourself and see how to restore sanity. His Emninence Mubajje alleges other examples of misconduct and collusion. You should study all those. What, however, provoked me was the audacity of attaching the National Mosque. The NRM freedom fighters and the Government they head, cannot be associated with sick logic,” Added the President.

In an ongoing dispute, Uganda Muslim Supreme Council faces the risk of losing its property valued at shs18 billion, as a result of a court case initiated by Justus Kyabahwa seeking compensation. The court ruled in favor of Kyabahwa, granting him shs18 billion and permission to attach UMSC properties, including the Old Kampala Mosque.

However, a recent decision by a panel of three justices from the Court of Appeal has temporarily halted any potential sale of Muslim property until the main appeal is resolved.

Among the property attached include; land at William Street Kampala, land at Old Kampala plot 23 to 25 comprising the National Mosque, land at Kyanja, one square mile of Land at Bukwe, Hoima, one acre of land located at Lubas Road Jinja, Plot of land at Mbale City, Shares in Uganda Ranches Limited and Commercial Holding Ltd, two square miles of land at Migyera in Buluri and plot of land in Entebbe opposite Victoria Mall.