KAMPALA. The embattled Mufti of Uganda Sheikh Shaban Mubajje has cautioned the Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Uganda, H.E. Mohammed Bin Khalil Faloudah, against what he described as meddling in local Muslim affairs.
In a statement on Tuesday circulated by Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) spokesperson Ashraf Zziwa , Sheikh Mubajje said the ambassador’s remarks about UMSC were inappropriate and divisive.
“I was shocked to read such remarks in the media. They were insensitive, uncalled for, and unbefitting for an envoy, particularly a representative of the Royal Kingdom of Saudi Arabia—the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques,” Sheikh Mubajje was quoted saying upon his return from Iran, where he attended the Islamic International Conference on the Holy Koran & International Diplomacy on Monday, March 10, 2025.
This comes days after H.E Faloudah said his country will not continue working with UMSC if Sheikh Mubajje continues serving as mufti.
But Sheikh Mubajje warned the ambassador ,saying he had overstepped diplomatic boundaries by interfering in Uganda’s internal Muslim affairs, despite the existence of a Memorandum of Cooperation between the UMSC and Saudi Arabia, which remains intact and has never been violated.
“It is absurd that the Saudi Ambassador seems to have ventured into petty, divisive local Ugandan Muslim politics, yet he came when UMSC had already established a framework for collaboration,” he added.
Sheikh Mubajje’s outbursts come on the heels of reports that he is plotting to bribe members of the Majlis Al Ulama ( College of Eminent Sheikh) to unconstitutionally extend his tenure by five years –a move widely protested my Muslims .
Sheikh Mubajje, who has been at the helm of UMSC for 24 years is expected to leave office tomorrow ,Wednesday midnight after clocking 70 years, the mandatory retirement age for a mufti .
Last Friday , the chairperson of UMSC Mr Muhammadi Lubega Kisambira adamantly refused to convene a special sitting of the General Assembly to discuss the looming leadership crisis at Old Kampala hill , the seat of the Islamic faith in Uganda .
In a letter dated March 7, 2025, addressed to Sheikh Musa Muyinda, the UMSC general assembly delegate from Lubaga Muslim District, Prof. Kisambira outlined his reasons for rejecting the request.
Sheikh Muyinda had in his February 24 ,2025 petition asked Prof.Kisambira to convene a special UMSC general assembly to discuss Mubajje’s fate .The general assembly is the supreme organ of UMSC which has powers to elect the new mufti .
Prof. Kisambira cited legal opinions from UMSC legal department and other legal minds, stating that the petition was ill-conceived, premature, and in violation of the UMSC constitution.
“…their[legal minds] advice is it’s not constitutionally right for us to debate the tenure of Office of the Mufti while his current term is still running (till 12th March 2025 past midnight) .I therefore find no ground in the same vein to call for a special general assembly until after that ,” he said in a two-page letter addressed to Sheikh Muyinda .
Prof. Kisambira further explained that he had already written to Dr. Sheikh Ziyad Swaleh Lubanga, the UMSC Director of Sharia, a few weeks ago , directing him to initiate the necessary constitutional processes to ensure that Muslims get a new mufti and deputy mufti by March 13,2025 .
“I would therefore advise that we let this process flow as constitutionally guided. I am certain that after that, we shall certainly have a special general assembly for all the other due processes as mandated in the 2022 constitution as amended.” he added
Under the new UMSC constitution ratified in July 2022 , which is currently being challenged in court , the Majlis Al Ulama has powers to vet and elect a Mufti when the position falls vacant and the general assembly is simply informed “ for noting”. The Majlis Al Ulama falls under the UMSC Director of Sharia.
Sources at Old Kampala intimated to Newz Zone publication that all is set to sworn in Mubajje this Thursday as he embarks on a five-year extended term , which may attract a myriad of legal battles from critics who have fought his leadership for the last two decades .
This is what prompted some Muslim clerics on Monday to drag Mubajje to court seeking a declaration that he is not eligible for re-election for another term after clocking 70 years . In a judicial review application filed in the Civil Division of the High Court in Kampala, Swaibu Nsimbe, Twayihu Byansi, Musa Kalokora and Musa Kasakya argue that having served for more than 24 years ,far beyond the 10 years provided for under the new UMSC constitution ,this disqualifies Sheikh Mubajje from being reconsidered for another term as per articles 5 and 29 of 2022 UMSC Constitution as amended .The quartet wants court to issue an order prohibiting Sheikh Mubajje from further serving as the Mufti of Uganda . Sheikh Mubajje is being sued alongside UMSC and the 43 members of the UMSC management , joint session and Majlis Al Ulama ,that is mandated to vetting and electing a new mufti .
Sheikh Mubajje ,who assumed office on December 11,2000 has had an acrimonious tenure where he is accused of irregularly disposing off Muslim prime assets and running downing down UMSC .
It remains to be seen whether Sheikh Mubajje will this time round respect the UMSC constitution and quit or he will stay put as he has done before . In 2006, a commission of inquiry into mismanagement of Muslim properties led by Prof Muhammad Mpezamihigo which was instituted by UMSC found Mubajje unfit to continue superintending the Islamic faith in Uganda, but the latter disregarded its findings and continued serving as mufti to date .