Hajji Mohammed Akida Lokure, the Kadhi of Moroto Muslim district contested but lost in the recently concluded LC1 NRM flag bearer elections for Campshwahili ward, south division, Moroto municipality.
Hajji Mohammed Akida Lokure, the Kadhi of Moroto Muslim district who also doubles as National Resistance Movement (NRM) party chairperson for Moroto Municipality
The National Resistance Movement (NRM) party chairperson for
Moroto Municipality has been barred from participating in elective
political offices.
The Uganda Muslim Supreme Council, through the office of the
regional assistant to the Mufti - North Eastern Teso and Karamoja, issued the directive
banning all the Muslim leaders from participating in partisan and elective
politics.
The letter dated May 5th, addressed to Sheikhs, stated
that all the Sheikhs who are serving in the structures of the Uganda Muslim Supreme
Council in the capacities of District Khadhis, County Sheikhs or Imaams should not participate
in Partisan or elective positions in the forthcoming general elections.
The decision follows the political divisions among the Muslim
leaders that created a lot of internal enmity due to diverging political
affiliations.
Hajji Mohammed Akida Lokure, the Kadhi of Moroto Muslim District contested but lost in the recently concluded LCI NRM flag bearer
elections for Campshwahili ward, south division, Moroto municipality.
Lokure is now serving as the National Resistance Movement
(NRM) party chairperson for Moroto Municipality and NRM National Campaign
Coordinator for President Museveni.
Lokure confirmed receipt of the letter from the Muslim
council stating that he will not contest for any political seat because he respects the decision from his top bosses in the Muslim
council.
Lokure said that he participated in politics because there
were no restrictions from the Muslim council previously.
Lokure said that he is willing to surrender all the
elective political positions as per the order from the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council. He said
that he has served in the position of the LCI for the last 25 years, and as NRM
party chairmanship for 10 years, and does not regret stepping down.
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However, Lokure confessed that he cannot resign from being the
NRM National Campaign Coordinator for the President because he was appointed.
Lokure defended his
decision, stating that he was appointed by President Museveni to monitor, train
foot soldiers door to door, facilitate, and rally support for the NRM party at
the grassroots levels.
Lokure alleges that his position is known to his top
religious bosses, and they allow him to serve so long as he does not
participate in any elective position.
Lokure reiterated that the Muslim council knows that he is a
presidential mobilizer, and it does not affect his leadership role in the
religion.
