“Someone has put his hands up, as a sign of surrendering, but you go on and beat him up?...”

KAMPALA – The Mufti of Uganda Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubajje, while delivering his  Eid al-Adha message at Old Kampala Mosque has said that he believes both Authorities and protestors have violated one another’s freedoms in recent political confrontations.

Mubajje was speaking to Muslim believers who turned up for Eid prayers.

As it is custom, Muslims around the world annually celebrate Eid al-Adha to commemorate the willingness of Ibrahim to obey Allah’s command to sacrifice his own son Ismail`

While delivering his message, Mufti Mubajje said there is need for measured expression of discontent when protestors have a point to put across and that violence is not the way to do so.

He also called upon authorities to exercise control when dealing with politically charged situations that could even become worse.

“I call for calmness and peaceful expression of our grievances, not resorting to violence. Let people who are grieved express their grievances and dissatisfaction in a peaceful manner not by putting fire in the pathways and on the roads and throwing stones; that does not express civility in those doing such. May Allah also give our security organs professionalism that they shouldn’t use excessive force in handling situations.. Someone has put his hands up, as a sign of surrendering, but you continue whipping and kicking him; I think this should also stop”. Mubajje said.

Mufti Mubajje’s remarks were in line with Monday’s demonstration against the arrest and detension of Kyadondo East Member of parliament, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu aka Bobi Wine in which crowds shouted ‘release Bobi Wine’ and chanted his trademark slogans; ‘People power, our power’ and ‘Time is now’.

In the same Spirit, deputy Mufti Sheikh Muhammed Waiswa who coupled as the day’s preacher (Kutba), emphasized the importance of sacrificing and called upon every person with ability to slaughter an animal in order to emulate Ibrahim’s action of faith.

Sheikh Waiswa reminded those who are going for Heja to pray for our country Uganda so that peace may prevail and people’s freedoms restored. In this regard, he condemned security operatives for oppression of journalists!

Rasheed Kiwanuka, an information officer under the Uganda Muslim Supreme council, re-echoed Mufti’s words and said that we in Uganda are so proud because of peace. But if that peace is sliding back to chaos, conflict and confusion, then it’s very unfortunate. We pray that the government takes lead in promoting peace and stability in our nation.