A crisis has erupted at Nakasero Muslim Foundation Community SACCO, with more than 2,000 members seeking intervention from the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council over allegations of mismanagement and the disappearance of more than Shs 980 million in savings.
The affected depositors, led by some officials of Jamuiyat Dawatil Tabiligh Salafiya-JDTS, have created a WhatsApp group titled “buli abanja ssente mu nakasero muslim sacco nabuli ayagaliza ummah obutebenkevu jangu,” loosely translated as “all those owed money by Nakasero Muslim SACCO, and anyone who wishes for peace in the ummah, should join.” The group is mobilising members who claim their savings have not been refunded and are demanding accountability from the SACCO leadership.
Speaking to Uganda Radio Network (URN), Sheikh Nadawi Kaluuma, spokesperson of Jamuiyat Dawa Salafiya and administrator of the WhatsApp group, urged members to remain calm, saying efforts are underway to recover their money. “There are our brothers and sisters who demand their deposits who are stranded. But I want to assure them that by Allah’s grace, whoever took your money has to return it. We are going to help you to ensure that your money is refunded,” he said.
Kaluuma urged affected depositors to remain united and push for recovery of their savings, saying it is their right to receive a refund. He also dismissed claims by some implicated leaders that the SACCO could be renamed, saying the focus remains on recovering members’ money. “It doesn’t matter whether the Sacco is renamed or not. What matters is that depositors get their savings back. We cannot allow someone to use people’s savings to marry women and spend them lavishly.” Kaluuma stated.
Sheikh Nadawi told URN that the SACCO has more than 2,500 members who have saved with it over the last five years. He said all seven branches have since closed, raising fears among depositors that their money may have been lost. He alleged that a group of leaders is responsible for the missing funds and becomes hostile whenever members demand explanations about their savings.
On Wednesday, the depositors’ representatives met officials of the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council, which has since summoned the SACCO management to appear before the Supreme Council leadership under the head of Sharia with all financial records. “Members united here after years of being told ‘there is no money’ with no explanation. We met the Deputy Head of Sharia at the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council, and he ordered the Sacco management, led by Abdurahman Buwemo, to present all financial records this week. As depositors, we’ll bring evidence showing how we saved our money,” Sheikh Nadawi said.
Nadawi said the group is considering legal action if the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council fails to resolve the matter. Attempts by this reporter to obtain a comment from SACCO leaders were unsuccessful. Several calls to Abdrahman Kasule Buwembo, one of the SACCO leaders, went unanswered. However, in responses shared by depositors with this reporter, Buwembo dismissed Nadawi’s account and described his group’s claims as an understatement. “Let me state it clearly: anyone who wants a full report should convene all Muslims at Nakasero Mosque. I’ll answer every question with evidence. I have everything. I’ve been fighting this battle. This isn’t a small office.” Luyombo said.
Buwembo said he has faced opposition from Muslims, institutions, and the law. “This is a financial institution. My silence doesn’t mean I’m weak. I’ve kept quiet to protect the Ummah. Even Jamuat and some of its leaders also owe the Sacco money,” he said. He also warned Kaluuma against threatening him.
“He is neither my employer nor my boss. Let him come out, and I’ll come out too. He doesn’t know what I’ve sacrificed for this. But I’m ready. Let them invite Muslims to Nakasero, and we’ll present our case. Even if they call me tomorrow, I am ready,” he said-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
