KAMPALA .
The chairperson of Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) Mr Muhammadi Lubega Kisambira has 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 as the term of Mufti Sbaban Ramathan Mubajje elapses .
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 26 ,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 .
Sheikh Mubajje, who has been at the helm of UMSC for 24 years is expected to leave office this Wednesday after clocking 70 years, the mandatory retirement age for a 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 ( College of Eminent Sheikhs) 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.
UMSC Spokesperson, Mr Ashiraf Zziwa , said the petitioner [Sheikh Muyinda] is an enemy of the current UMSC leadership and was part of the group of Muslims who attempted to oust Mufti Mubajje” in December 2023 when they convene a similar special sitting at Ggangu Muslim Primary School,Wakiso District and purportedly impeached Sheikh Mubajje.
“ However, this move was nullified by Justice Dr. Douglas Singiza after UMSC challenged an earlier judgment by Justice Faridah Shamilah Bukirwa Ntambi, which was later found to be in violation of the UMSC constitution,” he said
Rumor has it some members of Majlis Al Ulama are scheming to extend Mufti Mubajje’s term by five years-a move contested by other members who describe it as illegal.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 .
In December 2023 ,the UMSC General Assembly elected Sheikh Abdulllah Ssemambo as acting Mufti ,but Sheikh Mubajje challenged his election in court and also hit back at critics saying those baying for his blood are “just jealous of the enormous achievements under his leadership”. It remains to be seen whether 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 .