Nakasero Tabliq Leaders: Basajjabalaba Contradicts Islam, Unfit For Leadership

KAMPALA – Prominent Tabliq Muslim leaders at Nakasero Mosque have openly denounced businessman Hassan Basajjabalaba, saying his long trail of scandals contradicts the teachings of Prophet Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Him) and the values enshrined in the Holy Quran.

Speaking to our reporter shortly after Friday Juma prayers, the clerics and community leaders urged NRM delegates not to vote Basajjabalaba for the post of Chairman of the Entrepreneurs League on the party’s Central Executive Committee (CEC), warning that supporting him would amount to endorsing corruption and shame.

“Islam teaches us honesty, accountability, and service to the people,” said Sheikh Abdul Karim , one of the senior imams at Nakasero. “Allah commands in Surah An-Nisa [4:58]: ‘Indeed, Allah commands you to render trusts to whom they are due and when you judge between people to judge with justice.’ How can we entrust leadership to someone whose name has become synonymous with corruption scandals?”

Hajji Musa Kaggwa, a businessman in downtown Kampala and member of the Nakasero Tabliq community, said it is painful to see Islam being dragged into disrepute by leaders whose public image is dominated by fraud. “Every time Basajjabalaba is mentioned, it is in the context of theft, bribery, or abuse of office. The Quran is clear in Surah Al-Mutaffifin [83:1]: ‘Woe to those who give less than due which condemns cheating and exploitation. This shames us as Muslims, and we ask NRM delegates to reject him.”

Another elder, Sheikh Rashid Lutaaya, noted that Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) emphasized integrity as the foundation of leadership. “The Prophet said: ‘The leader of a people is their servant.’ But what we see here is a man who uses leadership to enrich himself. Delegates should not reward such betrayal of trust.”

The leaders insisted that the NRM must set an example by fielding individuals who inspire public confidence, rather than those who taint the image of both the party and the faith.

“Basajjabalaba has had his chance and failed,” said Hajjat Zainab Namutebi, a Tabliq women leader at Nakasero. “Surah Al-Baqarah 2:188 warns us: ‘Do not consume one another’s wealth unjustly or send it in bribery to the rulers in order that they might aid you to consume a portion of the wealth of the people in sin, while you know [it is unlawful]. That verse describes exactly what he has been doing. Delegates shouldnot vote for such a man.”

The leaders concluded with a strong call to delegates ahead of the August 25th polls: “This is not just about politics, it is about morality. We urge all NRM Entrepreneurs League delegates to reject scandalous leadership and vote for integrity, so that our business community and our party are not led into disgrace.”