Parliament calls for ban on street preaching

Yasiin Mugerwa

IN SUMMARY: Although the MPs did not reach a decision, they claimed the preachers abuse other religions.

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Parliament yesterday provoked condemnation from evangelists after legislators across the religious divide moved on a contentious matter of religion in a debate that sought, among others, to slap a ban on street preaching, which they say was inflaming religious hatred in the country.

The lawmakers made the call while debating Kawempe North MP Latif Ssebaggala’s statement on the inflammatory “Innocence of Muslims” video, which sparked off deadly protests across the Muslim world in recent weeks.

“There are people on the streets with Bibles they cannot even read. They are unemployed, and are looking for jobs because they want to survive,” Alex Ruhunda (Fort Portal Municipality) said. “We need to control these people before it’s too late. We cannot allow people who abuse other peoples’ religions; this will cause chaos in the country.”

While Parliament appeared united in pushing the government to ban disruptive street preachers, Prof. Simeon Kayiwa of Namirembe Christian Fellowship Church yesterday said any prohibition would be a direct infringement on the constitutional right which guarantees freedom of religion. “Open air preaching is an ancient Christian practice and shouldn’t be banned,” Prof. Kayiwa said.

In the statement, Mr Ssebaggala asked the government to condemn the anti-Islam crusaders and restrain those who are promoting religious hatred by inciting Muslims using cartoons, novels and films.

Presenting the statement on behalf of the Muslim Caucus in Parliament, he also asked government to grant Muslims permission to stage a peaceful demonstration against the video. But the deputy Prime Minister Moses Ali asked aggrieved Muslims to seek permission from Internal Affairs and asked Ugandans to notify police whenever they get people who insult other people’s religions.

Parliament did not take a decision on the matter but thanked Muslims in Uganda for keeping peaceful and asked the government to ensure that street preachers do not plunge the country into chaos.

Source: Daily Monitor (04/10/2012): http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Parliament+calls+for+ban+on+street+preaching/-/688334/1524220/-/prsmmq/-/index.html