Museveni surprised that a judge accepted sell of Gaddafi National Mosque over a disputed loan
Despite the wrangles having been handled by the judiciary, the President was surprised to learn how the National Mosque at Old Kampala was among those properties put up for sale.
President Yoweri Museveni has scoffed at the Judiciary wondering how Gaddafi National Mosque was put up for sale due to a debt exceeding Sh18 billion the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council owes to businessman Justus Kyabahwa.
In a letter addressed to Chief Justice Alfonse Owinyi Dolo and the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, the President acknowledged having received a letter from His Eminence Ramadhan Mubajje the Mufti of Uganda regarding the quarrel about the sales of Moslem properties.
Although the judiciary handled the disputes, the President was shocked to learn that the National Mosque at Old Kampala was among the properties for sale.
“I was most surprised to read in Mufti Mubajje’s letter that among the Muslim properties to be affected is the National Mosque at Old Kampala!! Really!! What sane person, let alone a Judge can make such orders? How can a Mosque or Church be attached for debts carelessly entered into by officials of that faith? If there is no law protecting Institutions of Worship, then common sense is there,” he said.
Surprised, the President, therefore, requested the judiciary to review the matter and see how to restore sanity.
In his letter to the President, Mubajje alleged other examples of misconduct and collusion which the president asked the judiciary to study. “The NRM freedom fighters and the government they head cannot be associated with sick logic,” he noted.
The President’s letter came to the public when Gadaffi National Mosque had already been excluded from the list of assets set for sale.
Louiza Auctioneers and Court Bailiffs conveyed, in a document addressed to the Deputy Registrar of the High Court Commercial Division, that the property marked as Lease Hold Register Volume 2771 Folio 2, Old Kampala Plot 23-25, is contentious and encumbered by a caveat.
“We have learned that the property comprised in Lease Hold Register Volume 2771 Folio 2, Old Kampala Plot 23-25 is a subject of a caveat and contentious. This is to humbly inform the Court that the above property comprised in Lease Hold Register Volume 2771Folio 2, Old Kampala Plot, 23-25 hereby ceases to be part of the properties under attachment and execution, and the same shall not be auctioned,” the letter reads in part.
The bailiffs notified potential bidders interested in acquiring this property that it would not be available for sale, inviting them to retract any submitted bids. This parcel of land encompasses significant structures, including the National Muslim Mosque and the Muslim community headquarters, along with other properties situated on Old Kampala Hill.
This crisis stems from a land transaction between UMSC and Justus Kyabahwa, which encountered complications. UMSC sold a two-square-mile tract of land to Kyabahwa for 3.584 billion Shillings intending to transfer ownership within 150 days.
However, the land had an existing 15-year lease leading to the failure to fulfill the transfer or refund the money and resulting in the accumulation of the 19-billion-shilling debt.
The clause of paying interest, regarded as contradictory to Islamic teachings, was allegedly introduced by the former Secretary-General, Hajji Ramathan Mugalu, as per UMSC officials. Mugalu, however, disavowed any responsibility, asserting his actions were in line with UMSC directives.
