Kampala — The Mufti of Uganda, Sheikh Shaban Mubajje, has urged Ugandans to use religion as an instrument of peace and unity other than exclusion.

This was during the inaugural training of the interreligious dialogue and peace building, which held at Rest Gardens in Bweyogerere, Kampala recently.

"The training has come at a time when the world is focusing on the role of religion in society and the need to undo such misconceptions in society that some religions especially Islam is out to fight against other religions." Mubajje said.

He added that many people interpreted the September 11 incident in the US as the work of Islam and the declaration of war against the predominantly Christian society in the West. He argued that all religion are peaceful.

Mubajje added that the so-called war against terror polarised the world along religious lines and some have described it as a Christian response to Muslim aggression, noting that "the need for religious dialogue, therefore, cannot be overemphasised".

The Inter religious Council of Uganda secretary general, Joshua Kitakule, said the training will be conducted after every three months.

Over 20 participants from Uganda, Tanzania, Eritrea, Malawi, Sudan and Kenya took part in the five-day training and were awarded certificates.