KAMPALA.
The College of Eminent Sheikhs (Majlis Al-Ulama) at Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) has extended the tenure of Mufti of Uganda Sheikh Shaban Mubajje by five –years, which a section of Muslims say is unconstitutional.
The embattled Muslim cleric was expected to vacate the office on Wednesday midnight after clocking the mandatory retirement age of 70, as per the 1986 UMSC constitution.
But in a press statement dated March 13 ,2025 UMSC chairperson Prof. Muhammadi Lubega Kisambira said their lawyers had advised them to grant Sheikh Mubajje a transitional term for continuity and stability to prepare for a smooth transition for the UMSC leadership .
“In their report to the Joint session, Majlis Al Ulama informed that with the help of the UMSC lawyer Dr Makmot Adam Kibwanga they found no constitutional contradiction to consider Dr Shaban Ramadhan Mubajje ,”
“Ultimately , they chose to select Sheikh Dr Shaban Ramadhan Mubajje as the new mufti of Uganda and Sheikh Muhammad Ali Waiswa as the First Deputy Mufti of Uganda .These will be fresh new terms under the new constitution and not an extension . The term shall be subject to the provisions of Article 5(9) and persons selected will not be eligible to seek the office of the Mufti after expiration of his tenure,” he said
Both Mubajje and his deputy were sworn in by Dr Zayid Lubanga , the UMSC director of Sharia ,under which Majlis Al Ulama falls .
Commenting on the judicial review application filed at the Civil Division of the High Court in Kampala on Monday by Swaibu Nsimbe, Twayihu Byansi, Musa Kalokora, and Musa Kasakya Prof. Kisambira said court did not grant orders stopping the Mufti from serving in the same position as some critics were saying on social media platforms .
The quartet in its application argued that, Sheikh Mubajje having served for over 24 years — far beyond the 10-year limit provided under the amended UMSC constitution —he should not be eligible for another term.
Justice Emmanuel Baguma who is handling the application on March 12 set March 19 to start hearing the case after UMSC lawyers, led by Musa Kabega, asked court for more time arguing that they received court documents late and were unable to scrutinize them. The judge however warned that if UMSC organs sworn in Mubajje for another term, this will be nullified.
But Prof. Kisambira claimed that they were not aware of any injunction or court order barring them from conducting any activities “….We as UMSC did not go to court and are free to continue with our business as usual,” Prof .Kisambira said
Mr Abdulatiff Kayanja , the spokesperson of UMSC group opposed to Mubajje administration ,said whatever has been done is in total contravention of the 2022 UMSC constitution as amended .
“ First of all, neither is there an extension of term of office of any UMSC employee in the constitution nor a term of five years, So, whatever you saw is a manifestation of being power hungry ,but our lawyers are going challenge everything in courts of law ,”he said
Mubajje’s tenure has been characterised by endless court battles occasioned by his involvement in dubious land transactions that have cost the Muslim community many of its prime assets in Kampala and major towns across the country . By clinging to UMSC leadership, critics say Mubajje will cause more harm than good and need to be ousted by hook or crook.