The right to secular education in the Muslim community in Uganda: a case study of Kiboga District

Abstract

This study was conducted in Kiboga District under the topic: The Right to Secular Education in the Muslim Community in Uganda. It aimed at establishing the reasons for low participation of the Muslims in the promotion and implementation of the right to secular education. The rationale was to establish the relationship between the Islamic practices and the Muslims’ neglect of secular education in Kiboga District, asses the role of Muslims themselves towards their low participation in secular education and examines the impact of the government policies towards Muslims’ low promotion and protection secular education in Kiboga District. Both qualitative and quantitative research paradigms were used gather, to present, analyze, interpret and discuss the relevant research findings. The population of the study included the Muslims and non Muslims, their homes, and schools in Kiboga District. The findings established that many factors influence Muslims attendance of secular education in the district. The findings showed that the Muslims have negative attitude towards secular education, do not clearly understand Islam and the government and Muslim leadership has not done enough to promote Muslims secular education. The study recommends that: the combined efforts of the government and the Muslims to encourage Muslims and establish more Muslims secular schools in the district, intensive sensitization and the need for some Muslims to learn and understand their religion especially on sensitive issues like acquisition of knowledge, polygamy and marriage.