While it is a public secret that the Ugandan government has in the recent past arrested a number of Muslims in connection to murders and alleged terrorism acts, few would expect the Mufti of Uganda, Sheikh Shaban Ramadan Mubajje to come out in support of the state’s stance on his followers.
Many worshippers were yesterday shocked during Mubajje’s Idd message at the Ghaddafi National Mosque when he said the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) administration would not defend Muslim criminals.
“Many Muslims have been arrested over criminality and people blame us for not coming out to defend them, but I request you to be law-abiding citizens, so that we be in position to defend you. Otherwise, we can’t defend criminals,” Mubajje said.
The most recent arrests of Muslims was over connections in the murder of the former Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIGP) Andrew Felix Kaweesi has been shot dead outside his home in Kulambiro, Kampala.
Mubajje, however, said he was happy there was no murder of Muslims during this year’s holy month of Ramadan in the country, which he said should be maintained.
