By Angel Lubowa
KAMPALA
A group of Muslims who oppose the re_ election of Sheikh Shabban Ramadan Mubajje as the Mufti of Uganda have petitioned Parliament to intervene saying his appointment is in acceptable.
Led by Hon Ali Ndaula Ssekyanzi a former MP and now among PLU mobilizer in greater Luweero among other tasks,Hajji Abdul Kiyimba, Hajji Abdul Noor Katungulu, Haji Siriman Semakula Musaale and some members of the UMSC, they set off from Wandegeya mosque , Tuesday morning.
Initially they had planned a demonstration to pass through the city center to Parliament but police advised them to nominate a team of about seven people whom it drove to Parliament.
Hon Ndaula told Media that ” we are acting in a national interest and to safe guard Uganda Moslem society from this mess. Sheikh Shabban Ramadan Mubajje is manipulating and we cannot accept this”.
This follows Uganda Muslim Supreme Council’s (UMSC) re-election of Sheikh Mubaje recently following the expiration of his previous tenure upon reaching the constitutional age limit of 70.
Mubajje, who has led the UMSC for 24 years, was expected to retire upon turning 70, as required by the 1986 UMSC Constitution.
He however using his legal advisors chose to extend his rule saying that there was no constitutional barriers to his re-election under the new 2022 UMSC Constitution.
Addressing the press on March 13,2025, UMSC Chairperson Prof. Muhammadi Lubega Kisambira explained that after consultations with UMSC legal advisor Dr. Makmot Adam Kibwanga, the Majlis Al-Ulama (College of Sheikhs) found no constitutional contradiction in Mubaje seeking another term.
Sheikh Mubaje, who turned 70 on March 12, 2025, was initially elected under the 1987 UMSC Constitution, which mandated retirement at that age.
But he made constitutional amendments in 2022 where the Mufti would be eligible until he turned 75 years and also placed the powers for his appointment under the Majlis Al_
Ulama which convened on February 20, 2025, and unanimously approved his re-election.
But this has not gone well with some Muslims and they are mobilizing to oust him.
Ndaula’s group comes to find another outspoken parallel leadership of Sheikh Abdallah Ibrahim Ssemambo already poised to denounce Mubajje whom they dragged to court long ago saying he is no longer the credible Mufti.
Alongside Mubaje’s re-election, Sheikh Muhammad Ali Waiswa was elected as First Deputy Mufti of Uganda.
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