Police Block Muslim Prayers at Kololo Grounds Amidst Property Dispute and Financial Woes

Planned Muslim prayers scheduled to take place at Kololo Ceremonial grounds were abruptly canceled on Friday as police denied organizers access to the venue.

The gathering was intended to provide a platform for discussions on reclaiming Muslim properties, with a particular focus on the iconic Gaddafi Mosque in Old Kampala.

The Uganda Muslim Supreme Council, led by Mufti Mubajje, is at the center of controversy as it is reported that they mortgaged the Gaddafi Mosque to secure a loan from businessman Justus Kyabahwa.

A recent court ruling mandated the sale of the mosque property to recover an outstanding debt amounting to Shs19 billion owed to Kyabahwa.

Hajji Latif Ssebagala, the organizer of the prayers and a former Member of Parliament for Kawempe North, revealed that they had sought permission from the police to hold prayers at the venue. However, the lack of an official response led them to believe they had the green light to proceed with the scheduled Juma prayers.

“The purpose of these Juma prayers was to gather as Muslim brothers to ponder how we are going to secure our properties that have been auctioned for sale by December 24,” explained Ssebagala, who called on all Muslim faithful, regardless of political and leadership differences, to forge a way forward.

He says they were blocked from accessing the grounds by several police officers on the command of the District Police Commander (DPC) and Regional Police Commander (RPC).

The police, citing security concerns, denied access, leading to the abrupt cancellation of the event. Kampala Metropolitan police spokesperson says they blocked the event because the organizers didn’t seek permission from the people in charge of the place who are Ministry of Defence.

Ssebagala emphasized the need for accountability, stating that those who brokered the property deal should be held liable instead of Muslim properties being confiscated. It is reported that Mufti Mubajje was involved in the controversial sale of a 517-hectare land ranch in Ssembabule.

The Uganda Muslim Supreme Council reportedly intended to use the prayers as an opportunity to address the community about the challenges and potential solutions regarding the Gaddafi Mosque and other contested properties.

The decision to cancel the prayers has sparked disappointment and frustration among the faithful who had hoped for an open dialogue and collective prayer to address these pressing issues.

As tensions rise within the Muslim community, there is a growing call for transparency from both the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council and the businessman involved in the loan agreement. Many are urging for a peaceful and legal resolution to the dispute over the Gaddafi Mosque and other contested properties.