By Ssemujju Ibrahim Nganda & Halima Abdallah
September 22, 2003
Hundreds attend Prayers at Kibuli
KIBULI -- The late Idi Amin's son has a great dream: the family will regain political power.
The former president's second born child, Mr Ali Amin, in a veiled reference to himself, cited a Luganda proverb, which says a lion always produces a lion. Ali was speaking during special prayers (dhuwa) for his late father at the Kibuli Mosque in Kampala.
The prayers were organised by leading Muslim leaders.
Hundreds of Muslims turned out for the prayers that lasted three hours. Amin, 78, died of kidney failure on August 16 in a Saudi hospital, and was buried in Mecca.
Ali's strong voice - similar to that of his father -- sent the mourners laughing.
Ali's young brother, Jaffer Kyombe Amin, read a faxed message from Ms Sarah Kyolaba Amin, one of the widows, who lives in London.
"It is not possible for all the family members to be in Uganda now, but we have all of you and your contributions at heart. We are not only mourning Amin, but celebrating his achievements in life," she said.
None of Amin's other wives attended the prayers or sent a message. Madina, the most outspoken of Amin's wives in the days leading to his death, is reportedly still in Saudi rabia.
Many Muslim leaders, clerics, politicians and businessmen attended the prayers.
No central government official turned up for the occasion.
Kampala deputy Mayor, Dr Hasib Takuba and Kawempe division chairman, Hajji Nasser Kibirige Takuba, were however present.
MPs; Latif Ssebaggala (Kawempe North), Ms Nusura Tiperu (Yumbe), Lule Muawiya (Kalungu East), Lubega Kaddunabbi (Butambala) and Dr Asumani Aronga were the other politicians at Kibuli.
Justice Forum President Mayanja Kibirige and his spokesman Hussein Kyanjo were also present.
Prominent Muslim leaders at the ceremony included; Prince Kasim Nakibinge, Deputy Mufti Sheikh Twaibu Mukuye, former muftis Hussein Rajab Kakooza, Muhammad Ssemakula and Ahmad Mukasa.
The army, Police and Local Defence Unit (LDU) personnel were deployed.
The dhuwa was initially to take place at the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) headquarters at Old Kampala but the Mufti, Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubajje, reportedly blocked it.
The Mufti is presently in Libya.
Daughters weep
People again laughed when the chairman of the ceremony Sheikh Nooh Muzaata Batte announced that Amin had fathered 54 children (four have since died).
At least three sons and three daughters attended yesterday's function. The crowd surged forward to catch a glimpse of Amin's children.
The daughters led by Aisha Amin and Hajara Amin wept as people jostled and pushed to see them.
Jaffer Amin said that one of the legacies of his father was the unity of Muslims. The Associate Dean at Makerere University's Faculty of Arts, Dr Abbas Kiyimba, outlined Amin's "achievements" and asked those drawing Amin's balance sheet not to water down his achievements.
Kiyimba, who is also the chairman of the Uganda Muslim Youth Assembly, urged the faithful to counter the negative images of Amin.
"That is how a balance sheet of a human being is -- good and bad. We pray to Allah to forgive him for the bad."
Kiyimba cited the Islamic University in Uganda, several Islamic schools and scholarships, economic development, sports, and the expulsion of Asians as some of Amin's "achievements".
He said that Muslims would build a fitting memorial for Amin because he was "a man of vision".
A donor has already pledged to buy the land, he said. "We [Muslims] are ready to hate or love anybody because of Idi Amin," Kiyimba said.
None of the many politicians present was given a platform to speak. Sheikh Muzaati had earlier told The Monitor that it was to be a strictly prayer function, devoid of any political statements.
No new factions
Prince Nakibinge Kakungulu announced that Muslims would not break up into new factions because of the Mufti's decision to block the prayers from being held at Old Kampala.
He said that moving the prayers to Kibuli had served one purpose: strengthening Muslim unity and the UMSC.
The Deputy Mufti, Sheikh Mukuye, said that he would write two letters on behalf of Muslims; one to congratulate Libyan President Col. Muamar Qadhafi upon the lifting of the UN of sanctions against his country.
The other letter would be sent to Saudi Arabia to thank the royal family there for hosting Amin and giving him a decent burial.
The family is organising another dhuwa for Amin in his hometown of Arua on October 22, 2003.
