By Sadique Bamwita
ENTEBBE
A fierce fight between the two warring Muslim factions erupted on Friday October 4, 2024 after the evicted Muslim faction led by Sheikh Umar Basir Matovu attacked the new leadership of Entebbe Masjid Taqua.
The two rival Muslim factions held parallel Juma (congregation) prayers with one faction praying inside the mosque while the other prayed outside the mosque.
As soon as both factions concluded their Juma prayers, they began fighting each other accusing each other of trespass.
During the fierce fight, councilor Sadiq Mukasa, the new Vice chairperson of Masjid Taqua was seriously beaten as he faced the wrath of Sheikh Matovu’s angry Muslims who accused him of disorganizing the administration of the mosque.
In this very scuffle, councilor Mukasa’s shirt and trousers were torn beyond repair. He was also severely injured and later he was whisked away to Entebbe General Referral hospital for medication.
The rival Muslim faction that assumed the administration of masjid Taqua last week on Thursday accused the Entebbe Resident commissioner Hakim Kirigwa and his security committee of backing the old leadership led by Sheikh Umar Basir Matovu and his allies.
The new leadership of the disputed Masjid Taqua accuses the office of the District internal security (DISO) led by Andrew Musimenta and the office of the Division police Commander headed by SSP Steven Twinomugisha of fueling the conflict for purposes of economic gains from the ousted leadership of Sheikh Umar Basir Matovu.
The Chairperson of National Resistance Movement (NRM) in Entebbe Division ‘B ‘, Mariam Nalwoga accuses Entebbe RDC Hakim Kirigwa of failing to handle matters affecting Muslims saying he is already biased.
The new leadership of Entebbe Masjid Taqua accuses Entebbe RDC Hakim Kirigwa of being a hypocrite in addition to being money minded which has escalated a number of conflicts in Entebbe sub-region.
It’s against these accusations that Muslims want the office of the President to transfer RDC Hakim Kirigwa and his assistants to other places where they will tolerate their laziness.
However, the office of the RDC will this week convene a District security meeting and among the issues to discuss top on the agenda is the escalating Muslim issue, the ban of open markets in Entebbe Municipality among others.
