Haji Akaya Muyanja Byayi was: the founder of Byayi Islamic Primary School in Kikungwe Masaka and a good friend of Obote(RIP)
Haji Akaya Muyanja Byayi was born in 1914 in Kibengo – Buddu (Masaka). He was from the "Enyonyi Nakinsige" clan. His father was Omujungute Haji Asumani Byayi and his mother was Hajat Nusula Nakibuuka of Mamba clan.His father Haji Asumani Byayi who was a sheikh taught him Islam for most of his childhood. He went to Kibengo Muslim Primary school where he studied up to P.4 then.
During his youth days, he went to Buwenda – Kibinge where he started a coffee farm and a big banana plantation.
In 1958, he went to Congo Kinshasha where he established two hotels; one in Goma and another in Bunya.
He was however forced to leave Congo in 1962 when the Belgians (colonialists) turned against him. He came back to Uganda and settled at Katwe-Busongola (Western Uganda) where he started a fishing business and bought many fishing boats.
In 1963, the government of Uganda put him in charge of National Chamber of Commerce and Industry – Rwanda Office.
He became a very prominent businessman and strong financier of Muslim causes in the country. This made him very popular in both Islamic and political circles. In 1964, he joined UPC and later on joined NAAM thereby becoming one of the first Ugandan Muslims to engage in active politics.
Under NAAM, Haji Byayi and his colleagues accomplished a lot in uplifting the status of Islam and Muslims in Uganda.
More Muslims were made chiefs and by 1971, http://ugandamuslims.wordpress.com/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php?post_id=3760&action=grunion_form_builder&TB_iframe=true&id=add_form&width=640&height=485the Muslim share of Saza Chiefs in Buganda had improved from two to four including the key counties of Buddu and Singo. More butcher licenses and government jobs were given to Muslims especially in the Para-military where NAAM supporters were admitted as peripheral informers. Many Muslims received trading licenses following the lobbying done by Haji Byayi and his comrades in NAAM.
Haji Byayi is the one who founded Byayi Islamic Primary School in Kikungwe Masaka. The school is still operational. He was one of the initial funders of the construction of the current Masaka main Mosque. More Butcher licenses and government jobs were given to Muslims especially in the Paramilitary where NAAM supporters were admitted as peripheral informers.
In 1966, Haji Byayi established a coffee Mill in Kyoko – Kyabakuza and in 1967; he started a cattle ranch in Kitti-Lukaya (Kalungu). He was also among the first Muslims to establish shops in Masaka town.
Haji Byayi believed in empowering the black people who were marginalized by Indians in Business and in all his business, he employed many Muslims and most of the money he earned from his businesses was spent of empowering Muslims and strengthening the economic and political base of fellow Ugandans.
He sponsored and mentored many Muslims and political activists who grew up to become prominent sheikhs and leaders. These include Sheikh Ali Saad Kulumba, Sheikh Abdu Obedi Kamulegeya, Grace Ibingira, Abubakar Mayanja, Kezekiya Seggwanga Musisi, Kaaya Kibira, Musa Magezi, Shk. Muhammad Mukongo, Shk. Swaibu Semakula, Maulana Abdul Razak Matovu, Shk. Abdu Kadir Mbogo, Shk. Twaib Mutyaba, Shk. Umar Dumba, Shk. Anasi Ssesimba, Shk. Hussein Rajab Kakooza, Haji Bagalaaliwo, Zakariya Wakinyankali, Anasi Kinyiri and many others.
In recognition of his work, he was appointed the government representative (Omubaka) of Kakuuto – Kooki County, a position he held until 1970. During his time as a government represented, he constructed Kakuuto government hospital which is still in place today.
Haji Byayi was also a close friend and adviser to the late Sheikh Swaib Semakula the first Mufti of Uganda, the late Maulana Abdul Razak Matovu the first Chief Kadhi of UMSC and the late Sheikh Saad Ibrahim Luwemba the Mufti of UMSC during their time of leadership.He was a personal friend of President Obote and advised him on several occasions.
Haji Byayi had 25 children, 12 boys and 13 girls. All of them are well educated and well known Muslims today. They include Moses Kazibwe, Abdu Wasswa (former Asst. Medical Superintendent of Masaka Hospital and Hon. Muhammad Mbabaali Muyanja Byayi, a prominent businessman and politician.
Haji Akaya Muyanja Byayi died in the year 2001.Haji Byaayi did what was expected of him as an ardent Muslim. He took his time to study his religion and to create jobs. He empowered his fellow Muslims economically. By doing so, he fulfilled Allah's command in the Holy Quran 28:77 in which Allah says;
"And seek by means of what Allah has given you the future abode; and do not neglect your portion of this world; and do good (to others) as Allah has done good to you …"
Haji Byayi was therefore an accomplished Muslim; a job creator, an employer, a very shrewd politician and a revolutionary. What else? He was a Muslim Hero though unsung.
Haji Nsereko Mutumba
Public Relations Officer
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"War is nothing but a continuation of political intercourse, with a mixture of other means. Man will never be free until the last king is strangled with the entrails of the last priest."
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