Masjid Noor Shuhada-Uganda, [a mosque for Muslim Martyrs of Uganda at Namugongo has been built.

In 1865 the fallen king of Buganda kingdom Muteesa I declared Buganda a Muslim state – so the people of Buganda self-circumcised using reeds. Muteesa I made sure that Ramadhan [fasting] was a Buganda state event in 1867. Unfasting subjects in Buganda kingdom were punished and nicknamed Kakolokoto, a derogatory term synonymous with Gluttony.

The official kingdom greeting was “Asalum Aleikum”! that was then pronounced as Salama Aleko; hence Muteesa 1’s other palace in Munyonyo was renamed Salama Aleko – that is how Salama Road got its current name!

The Arab Tunic, the Kanzu became Buganda’s official attire – the problem was that Mutesa I couldn’t get circumcised BECAUSE in Buganda culture a king’s blood cannot be shed!

Staunch Muslims were bored by this norm – they referred to Mutesa 1 as a kafir! And could therefore not accept his frequent lunch invitations! His meat was not Halaal, they claimed! Over 70 Muslims that declined an invitation to a state luncheon were murdered at Namugongo! That partly explains why the Muslims have built the martyrs Mosque at Namugongo.

Ends