Islam in Uganda: The Muslim Minority, Nationalism & Political Power

This book explores the historical, political, religious, and social dynamics of Muslim minority status in Uganda, challenging prevailing scholarship that has homogenized Muslim political identity. It discusses how the political status of Islam and Muslims in Uganda has been defined under successive regimes, from Muteesa I's attempted Islamization to the colonial period and the rise of new reform groups.

Format: Hardback
Length: 270 pages
Publication date: 19 July 2022
Publisher: James Currey

The book "Muslim Minority Status in Uganda: Pre- and Post-Colonial Political Community, Religion, and National Identity" delves into the intricate historical, political, religious, and social dynamics of Muslim minority status in Uganda. It explores important themes such as pre- and post-colonial political community, religion, and national identity.

Between 2012 and 2016, several Muslim clerics were murdered in Uganda, and the responsibility for these murders remains unclear. In his book, Joseph Kasule aims to shed light on this issue by examining the colonial and postcolonial history of the Muslim minority and the challenges of Muslim identity within a non-Muslim state.

Challenging the prevalent scholarship that tends to homogenize Muslim political identity, Kasule demonstrates that Muslim responses to power have been diverse and multifaceted. The book begins by exploring the pre-colonial political community in Buganda, particularly the attempted Islamization of the country by Muteesa I. Muteesa I's Islamization efforts faced challenges when Christianity entered Buganda in the latter half of the 19th century, leading to division between Muslim and Christian sections.

The colonial period introduced a new political project that defined the Muslim question as one of representation. Kasule discusses how this laid the foundation for a politics of Muslim containment within a predominantly Christian power. He examines contrasting urban-based Muslim organizations and rural expressions of Islam, the tension between representative claims of Muslim leaderships and the demand for Muslim autonomy, and the rise of new reform groups. As these splits turned violent, new Muslim publics emerged around opposing centers of Muslim power, each seeking different resolutions to their minority situation.

The book also explores the historical roots of Muslim minority status in Uganda, including the impact of colonialism, the emergence of nationalism, and the role of religion in shaping Muslim identity. It examines the challenges faced by Muslims in accessing education, employment, and political representation, as well as the discrimination and marginalization they face.

Kasule's book offers valuable insights into the complex dynamics of Muslim minority status in Uganda. It challenges the notion of a monolithic Muslim community and highlights the diversity and complexity of Muslim experiences within a non-Muslim state. The book is a valuable contribution to the study of religion, politics, and identity in East Africa and beyond.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781847012432