By Wamatoyi Kenneth
JINA CITY
Jinja City Muslims have asked government to intervene in a land wrangle involving a piece of land donated to them by the former President, Iddi Amin Dada.
This call was made by the Jinja District Kadhi, Sheikh Ismail Adi Busooga, at the Mvule Crescent grounds during the Eid prayers, which were attended by many congregants completing their fasting period.
During the prayers, Sheikh Adi called upon the government to intervene in the ongoing legal disputes surrounding the Mvule Crescent land, which was allocated to the Muslims by the late President Idi Amin Dada in 1974.
He mentioned that these legal issues have delayed development on the land, which includes an unfinished mosque intended to serve as the central mosque for Jinja City and the Busoga region at large.
He also reminded the President about the cemetery land that was given by Jinja Hospital—half an acre—which is insufficient for the Muslim community. The government had promised to buy additional land, and although surveyors had visited the site, no further steps have been taken to secure the land.
While delivering the khutbah, Sheikh Adi advised Muslims to remain calm and maintain the peace they had observed during Ramadhan. He emphasized that this respect for Allah promotes harmony in society. He further stressed the importance of completing the Five Pillars of Islam, describing them as essential to leading a fulfilling life. He also called on Muslims to renew their faith and iman for a happier life in society.
Sheikh Adi also urged families to avoid domestic violence. He mentioned that no week passes without him receiving a domestic violence case in his office, which he believes leads to the underdevelopment of families. He cited a disturbing trend in Busoga region, where some women have been mutilating their husbands’ genitals, sometimes even leading to death.
Additionally, he called upon the security agencies to address the increasing incidences of robbery in the region. He cited a recent incident where his son was attacked while returning from paying the national water bills in Jinja. His son was beaten and injured, with money and phones stolen, yet the community did not intervene to help him. His son is currently recovering from the injuries sustained during the attack.
On the same occasion, Busooga also urged respect for leaders, from the highest to the lowest levels. He highlighted the importance of appreciating leadership and being patient with the current leadership. He referred to the criticism surrounding the extended term of the mufti and encouraged people to be patient and wait for the next election, as five years is not a long period.
He concluded by praising Mufti Mubajje for advancing the interests of Muslims and for the progress made during his tenure, despite the negativity surrounding him as an individual.
