Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Assalamu Alaikum and Ramadhan Mubarak. As part of the progression of our Muslim ‘’Think Tank’’, as explained on the following link: http://um-bs.com/think-tank/, I would like to make a suggestion that the Muslim community in Uganda rallies behind Sister Aisha Kabanda for the pending Butambala by-elections, if NRM endorses her candidature. As you all know, Butambala is more like the ‘Mecca’ of Uganda Muslims, and we would love to strengthen our position politically in the country through serious Muslims regardless of their political affiliation. So, it would be good to have a good number of serious Muslims in parliament as we also want us to be considered for ministerial or other public office positions inishallah.

Mrs.Aisha Omar Kabanda is a member of the UMBS forum and she has been involved in various Muslim activities in Uganda, including the recently concluded Muslim conferences at Hotel Africana. She never shy away when it comes to defending Muslims. Yes, I must confess that I have never physically met this sister of ours but I sometimes feel like I already know her in almost all dimensions. The influential Muslims here, therefore, should do everything possible to make sure that NRM endorses her as their candidate in the pending by-election in Butambala- which should take place after Ramandhan inishallah.

I know that she is likely to contest against Suubi/DP’s Brother Mohamed Muwanga Kivumbi but like I said, it is important that we ‘’ strengthen our position politically in the country through serious Muslims regardless of their political affiliation.’’. Aisha is NRM and I have had so many political fights with her in debates but she is a serious Muslim, and I think that is enough for all Muslims in Uganda to support this daughter of Hajji Kabanda in Butambala regardless of whatever Muslim faction one belongs to. It would be a shame if we read in Bukedde or any other newspaper about Muslim factions in Uganda supporting and fighting each other over various candidates after Ramandhan.

Let us not ignore the truth among ourselves. Politically, majority of non-Muslims look at Muslims as the ‘aggressors’ and they defend themselves. So, it would not make sense for the ‘aggressors’ to start fighting and abusing each other publicly over matters that should have instead presented an opportunity for a united front.

It may sound contradictory but sometimes I see the marginalization of Muslims in Uganda as an opportunity for us to unite ourselves. Freedom & inequality can sometimes serve all of us better than leftism and equality.  Under freedom, some succeed more than others, but in succeeding the best people advance society for all of us.  A computer genius entrepreneur may make billions but he creates countless jobs and devices that will be great help to millions of people. If such a person is forced to be equal with the rest of us, society would be more equal but it wouldn’t move forward.

Advancement in science, religion, education, business, arts, and so on are produced by a very small percentage of people. The fact is that 99.99% of us are not made of the super-duper material.  Among many boxers, only small handfuls are like Muhammad Ali or Sugar Ray Robinson.  Among many scientists, only handfuls are like Einstein and Bohr.  While great folks are a part of society and depend on human community, they have some X-factor talent and skill far beyond most of us. It’s the same in the cinematic arts. In cinematic history, the number of people who really advanced the art of cinema has been few and far between; I mean guys like Eisenstein and Kubrick.

Similarly, let us find a way of recognizing people with special skills amongst the Muslim community and we start supporting them for the sake of Islam or Muslim Brotherhood. Jews do this everyday, why can’t we? Historians tell us it was Roman custom to place a slave in the chariot behind a conquering hero, there to whisper warnings about the fleeting nature of fame amid the accolades of adoring crowds. We can become slaves to our Muslim ‘heroes’ and help them to identify any obstacles they are likely to meet on the way to their new roles.

If Aisha is not endorsed by NRM, we will accept Allah’s will and still wish good luck to Brother Muwanga Kivumbi, Sister Mariam Nalubega who contested as an independent in the last election( if she stands again) or any other Muslim who may present himself for this opportunity inishallah.

Let me repeat, just to be very sure we understand one another: Aisha Kabanda lost the NRM Preminaries in 2011 where she contested with Ms. Namirembe Bitamazire. Mariam Nalubega came as an independent while Mohamed Muwanga Kivumbi is Muslim and he represented DP/Suubi in the last election.  Muwanga Kivumbi is reportedly allied with the Kibuli Muslim faction but all I’m asking is that Muslims support someone who will fight for them more as Muslims than someone who looks at Muslim affairs as last after Allah has given them something (money, power or wealth).

Byebyo ebyange banange

Note: Just for clarification purposes: I don’t belong to any political party in Uganda but i have been voting for UK’s Labour party ever since i came to England.
–

Abbey Kibirige  Semuwemba

Stalk my blog at: http://semuwemba.com/

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