Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09KAMPALA806
2009-07-27 05:37:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Kampala
Cable title:
UGANDA: U.S. MISSION APPROACH TO MUSLIM ENGAGEMENT
how-toVZCZCXRO4572 RR RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMA RUEHMR RUEHPA RUEHRN RUEHTRO DE RUEHKM #0806/02 2080537 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 270537Z JUL 09 ZDK FM AMEMBASSY KAMPALA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1626 INFO RUEHZO/AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS SECTION 02 OF 03 KAMPALA 000806
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID ECON OEXC OSCI PREL SCUL SENV SOCI TNGD TSPL
XF, XI, ZP, ZR, UG
SUBJECT: UGANDA: U.S. MISSION APPROACH TO MUSLIM ENGAGEMENT
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* Missing Section 001 *
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KAMPALA 00000806 002.2 OF 003
engagement. One key contact emphasizes the need for research to
clarify the attitudes of Ugandan Muslims. As he wrote in an email,
"My sense is that there is more research needed in some key areas of
Muslim life and attitudes on the global agenda like governance,
human rights, war on terror, the environment." He suggests the
Mission invest in research to avoid working on assumptions. Another
contact agrees, advocating the need for surveys on new Islamic
movements, Muslim NGOs, and Muslim attitudes towards the U.S.
Mission personnel concur that such research would be a worthwhile
and practical way to "get smart" about our audience so that
subsequent programs and activities are better focused and more
effective.
8. Several Muslim groups have approached the Mission for support,
indicating their keenness to partner with us. Observing that his
students "wrongly perceive the United States as a nation against
Muslims and Islam in particular," one teacher made the simple
request that PAS provide reading material on Muslims in America.
Other requests, however, are less straight-forward. For example,
the young, enthusiastic director of Muslim Youth Against Terrorist
Activities (MYATA) submitted a proposal that was so wide-ranging, it
was difficult to find distinct initiatives on which to collaborate.
After consulting with Mission representatives, MYATA organized a
symposium on Islam and Terrorism and is planning another. Such
events offer concrete opportunities for Post to engage with the
Muslim community on specific issues. To promote such collaboration,
Muslim groups and Mission agencies alike would benefit from more
information on funding resources (including non-USG donors) and
feasible initiatives that would turn ideas into action.
9. Muslim contacts indicate particular interest in partnering on
two types of projects (in addition to research): dialogue and
capacity-building. The British Council in Kampala sponsors periodic
Muslim dialogues which our Muslim contacts find very useful. They
encourage Americans from the Mission to participate or develop a
similar initiative. With capacity-building in mind, the Union of
Muslim Councils approached the Ambassador with a proposal to train
Imams in good governance, financial management and community
development. UMSC's Coordinator for Children and Youth Affairs
submitted a concept paper on civic education. As these examples
indicate, many of Uganda's Muslim leaders already view the USG as a
strong potential partner, but we need to figure out how to move
forward together.
10. When discussing ways to enhance engagement with Uganda's
Muslims, contacts note the importance of understanding the
community's unique divisions. Specifically, Uganda currently has
two rival muftis (Islamic authorities) instead of one. Ramadan
Mubajje had been the sole mufti, but was accused of abusing his
station by selling Muslim properties without consulting anyone. As
a result, his detractors formed the Kibuli Sect and named a new
leader, Kayongo Zubayiri, who claims to be Uganda's supreme mufti.
Also at issue is the fact that the position of mufti historically
has been linked to Bugandan royalty; Mubajje hails from Mbale in the
east and is a Mugisu, while Zubayiri is Bugandan, which some see as
giving him legitimacy. At the same time, Mubajje has academic and
religious qualifications that his rival lacks, making him a more
suitable leader according to some. Knowing the nuances of the local
situation enables more productive engagement.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
LEVERAGING EXISTING SUCCESS
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
11. While avenues to explore remain, existing programs that expand
Muslim engagement merit continuation. Before the change in
administration, PAS hosted a Direct Video Conference (DVC) with Sada
Cumber, Special Envoy to the Organization of the Islamic Conference
(OIC). Participants enjoyed the event and suggested follow-on
programs with other Muslim-American speakers. With this in mind,
Post has discussed having the next envoy visit Uganda with the
Office of International Organizations (IO). PEPFAR programs in the
health sector offer another example of existing programs that
already serve the Muslim community, and should be continued.
12. Mission agencies support and sponsor an array of activities
which could include a Muslim component if they do not already. For
instance, PAS will run the American Documentary Showcase in Kampala
from August 24 - September 1, 2009. While not a Muslim-focused
program per se, PAS is planning an event with an inter-faith
audience to show a documentary that explores differences between a
Muslim and a Hindu American. Similarly, PEPFAR plans to review its
support of faith-based facilities to identify future opportunities.
- - - -
Comment
- - - -
13. The U.S. Mission to Uganda has a strong network of Muslim
contacts. To make them true partners, the Mission needs to continue
the consultative process and identify concrete initiatives - and
***********************
* Missing Section 003 *
***********************
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID ECON OEXC OSCI PREL SCUL SENV SOCI TNGD TSPL
XF, XI, ZP, ZR, UG
SUBJECT: UGANDA: U.S. MISSION APPROACH TO MUSLIM ENGAGEMENT
***********************
* Missing Section 001 *
***********************
KAMPALA 00000806 002.2 OF 003
engagement. One key contact emphasizes the need for research to
clarify the attitudes of Ugandan Muslims. As he wrote in an email,
"My sense is that there is more research needed in some key areas of
Muslim life and attitudes on the global agenda like governance,
human rights, war on terror, the environment." He suggests the
Mission invest in research to avoid working on assumptions. Another
contact agrees, advocating the need for surveys on new Islamic
movements, Muslim NGOs, and Muslim attitudes towards the U.S.
Mission personnel concur that such research would be a worthwhile
and practical way to "get smart" about our audience so that
subsequent programs and activities are better focused and more
effective.
8. Several Muslim groups have approached the Mission for support,
indicating their keenness to partner with us. Observing that his
students "wrongly perceive the United States as a nation against
Muslims and Islam in particular," one teacher made the simple
request that PAS provide reading material on Muslims in America.
Other requests, however, are less straight-forward. For example,
the young, enthusiastic director of Muslim Youth Against Terrorist
Activities (MYATA) submitted a proposal that was so wide-ranging, it
was difficult to find distinct initiatives on which to collaborate.
After consulting with Mission representatives, MYATA organized a
symposium on Islam and Terrorism and is planning another. Such
events offer concrete opportunities for Post to engage with the
Muslim community on specific issues. To promote such collaboration,
Muslim groups and Mission agencies alike would benefit from more
information on funding resources (including non-USG donors) and
feasible initiatives that would turn ideas into action.
9. Muslim contacts indicate particular interest in partnering on
two types of projects (in addition to research): dialogue and
capacity-building. The British Council in Kampala sponsors periodic
Muslim dialogues which our Muslim contacts find very useful. They
encourage Americans from the Mission to participate or develop a
similar initiative. With capacity-building in mind, the Union of
Muslim Councils approached the Ambassador with a proposal to train
Imams in good governance, financial management and community
development. UMSC's Coordinator for Children and Youth Affairs
submitted a concept paper on civic education. As these examples
indicate, many of Uganda's Muslim leaders already view the USG as a
strong potential partner, but we need to figure out how to move
forward together.
10. When discussing ways to enhance engagement with Uganda's
Muslims, contacts note the importance of understanding the
community's unique divisions. Specifically, Uganda currently has
two rival muftis (Islamic authorities) instead of one. Ramadan
Mubajje had been the sole mufti, but was accused of abusing his
station by selling Muslim properties without consulting anyone. As
a result, his detractors formed the Kibuli Sect and named a new
leader, Kayongo Zubayiri, who claims to be Uganda's supreme mufti.
Also at issue is the fact that the position of mufti historically
has been linked to Bugandan royalty; Mubajje hails from Mbale in the
east and is a Mugisu, while Zubayiri is Bugandan, which some see as
giving him legitimacy. At the same time, Mubajje has academic and
religious qualifications that his rival lacks, making him a more
suitable leader according to some. Knowing the nuances of the local
situation enables more productive engagement.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
LEVERAGING EXISTING SUCCESS
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
11. While avenues to explore remain, existing programs that expand
Muslim engagement merit continuation. Before the change in
administration, PAS hosted a Direct Video Conference (DVC) with Sada
Cumber, Special Envoy to the Organization of the Islamic Conference
(OIC). Participants enjoyed the event and suggested follow-on
programs with other Muslim-American speakers. With this in mind,
Post has discussed having the next envoy visit Uganda with the
Office of International Organizations (IO). PEPFAR programs in the
health sector offer another example of existing programs that
already serve the Muslim community, and should be continued.
12. Mission agencies support and sponsor an array of activities
which could include a Muslim component if they do not already. For
instance, PAS will run the American Documentary Showcase in Kampala
from August 24 - September 1, 2009. While not a Muslim-focused
program per se, PAS is planning an event with an inter-faith
audience to show a documentary that explores differences between a
Muslim and a Hindu American. Similarly, PEPFAR plans to review its
support of faith-based facilities to identify future opportunities.
- - - -
Comment
- - - -
13. The U.S. Mission to Uganda has a strong network of Muslim
contacts. To make them true partners, the Mission needs to continue
the consultative process and identify concrete initiatives - and
***********************
* Missing Section 003 *
***********************