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Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Muslims from 300 mosques in Luwero Muslim District have participated in elections organized by Uganda Muslim Supreme Council amidst protests from a rival faction.
The elections across the mosques started at 2pm after jummah prayers. The Muslims elected Chairpersons and secretaries for mosques and councilors to represent mosques at committees in 10 counties.
The majority of nominated candidates were unopposed. Among those elected is Ali Ndawula the former Bamunanika County Member of Parliament who was declared unopposed councilor to represent Janda Masjid Taqwa at Zirobwe county.
But in a few mosques, the elections were competitive and seats attracted up to five nominated candidates.
The UMSC Returning Officer for Luwero Gaddafi Bachu says that 300 out of 335 mosques in the district registered and conducted elections.
Bachu adds that the elections were largely peaceful because the exercise was voluntary and so far he had received returns from 200 mosques that had completed elections.
Elsakina Baguma who was elected unopposed as councilor to represent Kasana mosque in Kasana county said the elections were transparent and every Muslim had the right to participate so as to have a say in how his mosque is governed.
Sheikh Ramadhan Mulindwa the Luwero District Kadhi said at Bombo Masjid Noor a small section of Muslims wanted to interrupt the elections but Police were called and cautioned them before they left the majority to proceed with the exercise.
Richard Bwabye the Luwero Resident District Commissioner says that Policemen were deployed at Nalweweta and Bombo mosques after reports emerged that elections may turn violent over the disagreements.
Bwabye says that apart from the two cases, the elections across the mosques ended peacefully.
Meanwhile, 35 mosques in Luwero that pay allegiance to the Kibuli-based faction shunned the elections.
Sheikh Musa Kakande the Chairperson of the Greater Luwero Muslim district described the elections as a sham and illegal.
Kakande added that they couldn’t participate in elections where the position of Mufti is ring-fenced to Sheikh Shaban Mubajje.
According to UMSC elections for counties are scheduled for next Tuesday, 22 November 2022 and 24th November for the district council.
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