Sheikh Mubajje hits out at government over national dialogue

Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubajje

What you need to know:

  • Sheikh Mubajje said people in areas such as Bunyoro where there is oil, are paid Shs1m for an acre of land while others are evicted, and that farmers across the country are not benefiting much from their investments.

Bushenyi. The chairperson Inter-Religious Council of Uganda (IRCU) and Mufti of Uganda, Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubajje, has criticised the government for stifling efforts to hold a national dialogue that was scheduled to start on November 21.

Speaking at the burial ceremony of Sheikh Abdunoor Kaduyu on Saturday in Kitwe Kyeizoba Igara East in Bushenyi District on Saturday, Sheikh Mubajje said the national dialogue is necessary to enable Ugandans discuss issues affecting them and find solutions.

He, however, said government seems to be dragging its feet on the initiative spearheaded by the IRCU, the Elders Forum, Citizens Coalition for Electoral Democracy, National Consultative Forum, Women’s Situation Room and Inter-Party Organisation for Dialogue.

“…people in government say they have structures; (that) we (the country) have laws and we have everything including representation. But we also say that there are issues that you need to open up so that every Ugandan says what is affecting him,’’ Sheikh Mubajje said.

Importance of dialogue
He added that the dialogue is intended to forge a way forward on how to restore ‘our values as Ugandans’ and ensure the economy works for everybody.

The Deputy Attorney General, Mr Mwesigwa Rukutana, last week at a meeting with planners of the dialogue at the Office of the Prime Minister indicated that government is opposed to the dialogue.

Mr Rukutana later said in an interview with Saturday Monitor that ‘there is no crisis’ to warrant dialogue.
Sheikh Mubajje, however, said the governance and economic situation in the country calls for national dialogue.

“There are new taxes put in place when Ugandans are not consulted and they affect them. People are saying government has reached extent of taxing condolences; that do not bury before giving us our money that is what they said on mobile money tax. Even when you have a patient in the hospital whereby you are sending money for treatment, government first deducts its percentage,” he said.

Sheikh Mubajje said people in areas such as Bunyoro where there is oil, are paid Shs1m for an acre of land while others are evicted, and that farmers across the country are not benefiting much from their investments.