By Spy Uganda
Kampala: The Muslim community in Uganda particularly of the Kibuli sect was yesterday left in shock after learning about the immediate and mysterious resignation of their head, Sheikh Silman Kasule Ndirangwa leaving many with mixed reactions on the same.
READ ALSO: Breaking: Supreme Mufti of Kibuli Moslem Sect Ndirangwa Resign!
The development came a few months after the death of outspoken Sheikh Nuhu Muzaata who was the spokesperson of the Kibuli faction.
Also, it’s worth noting that Ndirangwa was appointed Supreme Mufti of the Kibuli-based Muslim faction on December 16, 2015, replacing Shiek Zubairi Kayongo who died in April 2014 and has since been deputized by Mahmoud Kibaate and Sheikh Habib Kabasa.
Sheikh Ndirangwa was the second to assume the title of Supreme Mufti of the Kibuli faction, which in 2009 broke ranks with the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) leadership at Old Kampala amid accusations of abuse of Muslim properties.
The divisions emerged after Sheikh Mubajje’s leadership was accused of illegally selling Muslim properties.
Those opposed to Sheikh Mubajje’s leadership took the matter to court which later exonerated him.
However, they were dissatisfied with the ruling and went ahead to establish a parallel leadership based at Kibuli Mosque.
Although the property has since reverted to Muslims and Sheikh Mubaje has publicly apologised, a section of Muslims still believes that this is not enough since he has not personally reconciled with other top leaders at Kibuli.
But even though they separated, the Kibuli-based Muslim sect has since had misunderstandings of their own, and one of the prominent sheikhs and Obed Kamulegeya, who was influential in the break away from Old Kampala, has since parted ways with Kibuli.
Now, the question that has since left the Muslims with mixed reactions is whether Sheikh Ndirangwa resigned over the same rows. Addressing the media on Thursday night, Ndirangwa noted that he could not keep his position due to endless disagreements among different sheikhs at Kibuli.
“I would like to tell you that I am no longer going to serve Islam as a leader. I have resigned as the Supreme Mufti of Uganda. I have taken the decision for the good of Islam. I have resigned to keep Islam in peace because I am sure that Islam is bigger than me as an individual,” Kasule said.
“To maintain peace within the religion, I have decided to step down because I won’t keep on fighting with fellow sheikhs in Islam at all the time. I am sure that there are those who can serve better than me. So let me give them the room to serve Islam and perhaps accomplish what I might have not finished during my reign.”
