Kampala — MUSLIMS opposed to Mufti Shaban Mubajje have vowed to repossess all the property which they insist he and two other officials sold illegally.

They also warned of unspecified means to oust him.

Sheikh Nuhu Muzaata, the man who lodged the case against the Mufti, told hundreds of Muslims that the Judiciary had let them down. "We told you that we spent the entire night with President Museveni, who said he would not accept violence. But we are saying we shall not accept theft," he said.

He was reacting to the ruling of Buganda Road Magistrates Court which cleared the Muslim leaders of wrong-doing.

Efforts to get details from the presidential press secretary, Tamale Mirundi, about the alleged meeting failed.

Earlier, crestfallen Muzaata, wearing a brown tunic, walked from the court premises to Kampala Road where his supporters mobbed him.

He led them to Masjid Noor Mosque on William Street, which formerly belonged to the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council. As they walked, they expressed anger at Mubajje.

"We shall use the Koran to pass judgment," one shouted as they descended. "This is absurd and unacceptable," another bellowed.

As they neared the mosque, traders closed their shops. Others stood atop buildings and watched the goings-on.

At about 1:00pm, the group spread out mats on the tarmac and held prayers for about 30 minutes.

"If peaceful means and dialogue cannot get our property back, we have to devise other means," Muzaata shouted. He insisted that the Mufti, secretary general Idris Kasenene and vice-chairman Hassan Basajjabalaba were guilty of selling council land illegally.

Standing on a pedestal and speaking on a loudspeaker, Muzaata said his group would not allow "infidels take over Allah's House."

But he appealed to his supporters to remain calm.

Yahaya Lukwago, a council member, in a separate interview, said the 'rebels' had not lost because they expected the ruling. "We are not giving up; the mosque doesn't belong to Mubajje; our struggle is still on."

Abdul Kalisa, of the Union of the Muslim Council of East and Central Africa, said people should respect the ruling. He called on Muslims to read their constitution and asked the Mufti to embark on reconciliation.

Musa Sentongo, the imam of Makerere University Mosque, stated: "I cannot believe in such a judgment which promotes corruption."

Imam Idi Kasozi hailed the court for "categorically stating that Mubajje sold the land although he had vehemently denied doing so".

He said he did not recognise Mubajje as the Mufti. "Muslims are going to isolate him and put up a parallel office," he added.

Sheik Abdul Mugomba, a council executive, said although he disagreed with the ruling, there was no need to appeal. "The Government took over the case because Mubajje is their man."

In Bugiri, Muslims took to the street to celebrate the ruling. Crowds danced kadodi (the Bagisu circumcision dance). Mubajje hails from Mbale in Bugisu region.

At Bugiri's main Masjid Nasuru mosque, Mubajje's loyalists played music.

Their leader, Twaheed Mwase,â-‚ told the crowd: "I knew the Mufti was innocent and would win the case."

District khadiâ-‚ Sheikh Issa Magumba said a bigger celebration would be held on November 21 at Hindocha primary school.

In Mubaje's home in Buwalula, Bunghokho sub-county, Mbale, his relatives ululated while dancing.

At Mubajje's Noor Islamic Institute SS, students sitting end-of-year examinations stopped for a moment and shouted: "Allah Akbar".

Yasin Bunoba, a teacher, said he expected Mubajje to win because he is a person of high integrity.

"His opponents were trying to tarnish his name and must be punished."

Sheikh Hassan Kasango, the imam of Mubajje's Noor Mosque in Buwalula, said: "His victory is the work of God. He should forgive those who witch-hunted him."

A family member said the ruling was a relief. "I'm so happy he is finally free."

(Daniel Edyegu in Mbale and Moses Bikala in Bugiri)