Government to Muslims: "What is wrong with a Christian teaching Islam?"

The Permanent Secretary of the Education Service Commission (ESC), Dr Asuman Lukwago has said it is not unusual for a Christian to teach Islam.

Lukwago's comments follow an outcry from the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) which recently alleged that the Education Service Commission had sidelined Muslims during the appointment and promotion of IRE teachers.

Recently, the ESC named four assistant education officers to teach Islamic Religious Education (IRE). None of the four is Muslim.

Muslims have on several occasions accused the ministry of favouring non-Muslims when appointing IRE teachers, which amounts to undermining their faith, something which Lukwago says is untrue.

Lukwago explained that these teachers that were promoted have been IRE teachers at diploma level, but upgraded their education and obtained a degree in IRE.

"We have since had a meeting with the UMSC with the view that these positions are ring-fenced for new graduate IRE teachers. This is what normally happens for every subject where we fail to get diploma teachers for promotion," he said.

He said that he is privy to a very rich history of Islam and how it has transformed to the current practices.

"Up to the 1950s. some of our grandparents used to brew and drink alcohol. In the 1960s drinking was banned, but brewing and just tasting were allowed. Some members of Ummah had already become addicted and they continued taking alcohol secretly, but would be publicly caned on Juma days," he explained.

Lukwago said IRE is a teaching subject in the education policy in this country, and it may appear easier for students who target scoring first grades hence many schools choose it.

He advised Muslim teachers to always apply when vacancies are advertised.