VZCZCXRO4572
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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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. 
 
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LEVERAGING EXISTING SUCCESS 
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¶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. 
 
 
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Comment 
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¶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 
 
 
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