Street Preaching by Born-Agains, Muslims Fueling Religious Extremism- Sheikh Kamoga

BY SPURB ERNEST

Street preaching in Uganda has long been a contentious issue, with several attempts to ban it, mainly due to noise pollution. However, these efforts have faced resistance, as some religious leaders see them as persecution. Few, however, have viewed the issue through the lens of violent extremism.

The Amir Ummah Sheikh Muhammad Yunus Kamoga, the head of Jumiat Dawatil Tabligh Al Salafiya, has raised the alarm over increasing provocative street preaching by some Born-Again Christians and Muslims, warning that it fosters religious extremism in Uganda.

According to Sheikh Kamoga, some preachers deliberately position themselves in communities of other faiths, openly criticizing and condemning their practices, which he warned could escalate into violent confrontations if left unchecked.

“This may seem like a minor issue now, but it will inevitably lead to chaos. I have seen pastors preaching near mosques, making disparaging remarks about Islam. Imagine the reaction of those inside the mosque hearing their religion being attacked in public,” Kamoga explained. 

The cleric made these remarks while addressing a group of counter-terrorism officers from the Internal Security Organisation- ISO and the police during the launch of Hongera Saana, a presidential initiative aimed at eliminating violent extremism. Kamoga warned that if such actions continue, they will gradually lead to religious extremism.�

Street preaching in Uganda has long been a contentious issue, with several attempts to ban it, mainly due to noise pollution. However, these efforts have faced resistance, as some religious leaders see them as persecution. Few, however, have viewed the issue through the lens of violent extremism.

Last year, two street preachers were nearly roughed up at the Namugongo Martyrs’ Shrine after they staged a provocative demonstration along the route to the shrine, questioning why the Catholic faithful were making the pilgrimage to the shrines and insulting their faith. In 2023, two pastors were arrested, charged, and remanded for insulting the Muslim faith in Soroti, further highlighting the growing tensions around street preaching and its potential to fuel religious conflict. 

Kamoga, who noted that he has already observed signs of growing tension, added that with the ongoing provocations and religious intolerance expressed on the streets, such actions could soon lead followers of opposing faiths to retaliate against each other. He warned that if these tensions are not addressed promptly, the result could be disastrous. 

He commended the Catholic and Anglican churches for refraining from confrontational evangelism and respecting religious diversity. Kamoga also criticized the rising levels of religious intolerance in Uganda, stressing that if the government does not intervene, the fragile peace among religious groups could collapse. To prevent further tensions, Kamoga urged authorities to ban street preaching altogether, emphasizing the need for measures to protect the country’s religious harmony. 

Kamoga has long had contentious relations with security forces and spent several years in prison over similar issues, with authorities accusing him of radicalizing young Muslims and driving them into violent extremism. In 2017, Kamoga and five others were sentenced to life imprisonment on charges of terrorism for printing and distributing fliers that listed the names of individuals targeted for assassination, which were circulated in various mosques. 

They were also accused of holding secret meetings in their homes, where they allegedly planned the killings of Muslim leaders. However, in 2020, the six were acquitted after the prosecution failed to present witnesses to testify against them. As a result, Kamoga and his co-accused were released on a legal technicality. Referencing his past strained relationship with the state, Kamoga noted that initially, the government had taken a poor approach to dealing with these issues. 

He advised that dialogue, rather than confrontation, would be a more effective way forward. Several security personnel at the event seemed to resonate with Kamoga’s perspective. For instance, Stephen Chwinyaa, the Director of Counter-Terrorism at ISO, observed that religious extremism has long been a breeding ground for violence in Uganda, citing past conflicts such as those involving Kibwetere, the LRA, Alice Lakwena, and the ADF. 

According to Chwinyaa, addressing issues like the one Kamoga raised could go a long way in preventing further violent extremism. He also emphasized that dialogue with religious leaders is a crucial avenue for tackling these challenges. “A positive step forward is the fact that security officials can now sit and engage in conversation with figures like Kamoga, something that would have been unthinkable in previous years,” he added. 

He also mentioned that, according to their reports, the ADF is continuing to recruit from Muslim communities, particularly in Busoga and West Nile. This time, however, they are targeting Christian youth, luring them with job offers in DRC gold mines, where they are trained and radicalized.   Sharon Lesa Nyambe, the Head of Office for the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in Uganda also noted that the issues raised by Kamoga have been identified in various research studies that have been conducted. She highlighted that, with the assistance of their office, Uganda is currently in the process of developing a strategic plan aimed at ending violent extremism. 

David Wasswa Ssengendo, Deputy AIGP, and the Director of Counter Terrorism in the Uganda Police Force, also emphasized that violent extremism cannot be defeated through violent means or plots to eliminate those involved. Instead, he advocated for engaging the entire society, addressing the root causes of extremism, and educating communities. 

“It would be more cost-effective for the government to invest in prevention and community engagement than to spend large sums on intelligence gathering and programs aimed at targeting violent extremists,” Ssengendo said. Meanwhile, at the launch, Ashirafuh Muyomba Komugasha, the National Coordinator of Hongera Saana, noted that under the initiative, they are working to combat violent extremism among youth and others, while promoting peace, stability, and development across the nation. 

“Our mission is to empower communities, build partnerships, and support initiatives that create a brighter future for every Ugandan. Together, we can achieve a peaceful and prosperous Uganda,” he stated. He also added that soon, they will be launching socio-economic activities in the districts of Mityana, Kiboga, and Kyankwanzi. Notably at the event was the fact that it attracted mostly Muslims and Born-Again Christians.