By Angel Lubowa
KAMPALA
The recent High Court order maintaining the current leadership structure within the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) has excited both pro Mubajje and anti Mubajje groups with each viewing it as a blessing in disguise.
Where as the Mufti Mubajje supporters saw it as an effective preservatiin of the authority of Dr. Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje as the Mufti, the anti Mubajje group say that the orde pieced his morality and legality.
Hajji Sariman Ssemakula Musaale a PLU official and one of Sheikh Mubajje’s arch critics told Media that the order bars Mubajje from taking oath of office effectively rendering him an occupier.
On Monday Justice Bernard Namanya during a hearing of Miscellaneous Cause No. 065 of 2025 directed that either parties maintain a status quo pending disposal of the main suit.
The case was brought by four applicants — Nsimbe Swaibu, Byansi Twayibu, Kalokora Musa, and Kasakya Musa — against UMSC, Dr. Mubaje, Sheikh Muhamad Ali Waiswa, Sheikh Muhammad Bukenya, and 41 others.
The petitioners are seeking judicial review orders, including mandamus, declarations, and an injunction regarding recent developments within the UMSC.
However in his ruling, Justice Namanya ordered that “the parties shall maintain the status quo until determination of Miscellaneous Cause No. 65 of 2025.”
Present in court were lawyers representing both parties, along with several of the applicants and respondents.
In a public statement issued shortly after the court session, UMSC Deputy Secretary General Haji Ali Muhammad Aluma clarified that the “status quo” refers to the condition of leadership and institutional operations at the time of filing the application.
But the anti Mubajje group says that ” the status quo” refers to the current situations of passing judgement .
” Mubajje can never swears in until the main suit is decided. He can therefore continue sitting in Kampala Mukadde as an ordinary Muslim but his position of mufti lacks legal and moral backing” said Musaale
He said that he is no better than a man who snatched a married woman with intentions of marrying her and amidst wedding preparations court halts the wedding saying that she can be staying with that man but such a relationship will be lacking legality and morality.
But Hajj Aluma said that at the time of filing, Dr. Mubaje had already been duly selected, vetted, appointed, and approved by the UMSC’s constitutional organs, and officially resumed office as Mufti on March 13, 2025.
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