By Sadique Bamwita
ENTEBBE
After days of closure of Entebbe Masjid Taqwa, the Uganda Muslim supreme Council (UMSC) on Wednesday October 23, 2024, reopened the disputed mosque and agreed to maintain security personnel at the mosque for any possible attack from the Sheikh Umar Matovu-led faction.
The mosque was closed on October 3, 2024, by Entebbe police after Sadiq Mukasa led faction invaded the mosque and forcefully evicted Sheikh Umar Matovu and his agents, accusing them of failure to account for remittances collected from the Muslim property in addition to personalizing the mosque property.
The decision to reopen Entebbe Masjid Taqwa followed a lengthy meeting held on Tuesday October 22, 2024, between the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) and the security team led by the Inspector General of Police Abas Byakagaba.
During this meeting, it was agreed to reopen Entebbe Mosque saying it was wrong for Sheikh Umar Bashir Matovu and his agents to process a private land title under the name Masjid Taqwa Company Ltd, in addition to claiming sole ownership of the mosque. This move irritated some elders who had witnessed the establishment of the disputed mosque since it was built in 1914 by Asian Muslims, who later left it under Uganda Muslim Supreme Council management in 1972.
The Muslim body had acquired adjacent land on plots 45-53 and 21 along Portal Road, in Entebbe municipality for development projects, including an educational center. However, Sheikh Umar Matovu and his agents allegedly took control of the property and have been collecting rent without any accountability.
Because the mosque being near Entebbe State House, Entebbe International Airport, and other critical infrastructure, the Muslim body requested the Inspector General of Police to temporarily close it until stability is restored.
During the reopening of Masjid Taqwa, Sadiq Mukasa who led other Muslims to break the mosque padlocks said though Sheikh Umar Bashir Matovu and his agents dragged him to court, he is ready to defend himself.
The special presidential assistant in charge of national mobilization, Sadiq Musa Lukandwa, who officiated the reopening of the mosque on behalf of Uganda Muslim supreme council, condemned Sheikh Umar Bashir Matovu and his agents for being too selfish to the extent of registering Muslim property into their names.
Mr. Lukandwa revealed that ever since Sheikh Umar Matovu and his agents took over the administration of the mosque they have collected over Shs.2.6 billion from the Muslim property and have never given accountability for that money. He added that they went ahead to divide up the Muslim Land into portions and shared it among themselves.
The Entebbe Muslim District Khadi Sheikh Farooq Sendijja, who installed Sheikh Rajab Twesige as the temporary County sheikh for Masjid Taqwa, assured Muslim believers to work together in harmony.
Meanwhile, the Tuesday meeting was attended by the IGP, Resident District Commissioners (RDCs) of Wakiso and Entebbe, and UMSC National Management Committee members. Among the attendees included His Eminence Dr. Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje, the Mufti of Uganda, Deputy Mufti Sheikh Muhammad Ali Waiswa, UMSC National Chairperson Hon. Prof. Dr. Muhammad Lubega Kisambira, Secretary General Hon. Abbas Muluubya Sekyanzi, Deputy Secretary Hon. Counsel Hajj Muhammad Ali Aluma, and Sheikh Farouk Ssendijja, the Kadhi of Entebbe Muslim District. During the meeting, Prof. Lubega informed the IGP of a similar potential conflict in Jinja Industrial City, involving disputes over Muslim cemetery land. He told the IGP that there are some individuals hiding behind Jinja Referral Hospital, reportedly backed by unidentified security personnel, who have fenced off the area, blocking access to the Muslim cemetery.
