The Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) has impeached Sheikh Abdallah Ssemambo, the Deputy Mufti, on allegations of violating the council’s constitution and engaging in inappropriate behavior.
The joint session, a crucial organ of the UMSC, is composed of the National Executive Committee and the College of Sheikh (Majlis Ulama).
The suspension follows a petition by 16 members of the joint session, leading to a unanimous decision to suspend Ssemambo.
The controversy arises from Ssemambo aligning himself with a dissenting group that suspended Mufti Ramadhan Mubaje and appointed Ssemambo as the Acting Mufti. The faction expressed opposition to the current leadership led by Mubaje due to allegations of mismanagement and a substantial debt of nearly 19 billion shillings related to a land sale deal in Ssembabule.
During a meeting on Thursday attended by 41 out of 47 members it was resolved to suspend Ssemambo on grounds that he abrogated the constitution of UMSC on two fronts.
The impeachment is linked to allegations of misconduct, including participating in irregular proceedings and disregarding the UMSC constitution.
UMSC General Secretary Hadji Abbas Sekyanzi Muluubya said that 16 members of the joint session petitioned the chairperson, urging the suspension of Ssemambo.
“The grounds included behaving in a manner that is un befitting of his office contrary to the constitution of the UMSC and having abrogated the constitution of the council and conniving with another group to swear in as Mufti of Uganda, whereas there is a seating Mufti of Uganda, the members of the members of the joint session unanimously resolved to impeach Ssemambo as the deputy Mufti of Uganda and he seizes to be.” Sekyanzi
He further warned the public against associating with Ssemambo and emphasized the initiation of a replacement process following the suspension, in accordance with the council’s constitution.
Latif Kayanja, spokesperson for the Ssemambo faction, disputes the legitimacy of the suspension, claiming that the UMSC’s joint session is not functional. Kayanja argues that both the College of Sheikh and the National Executive were suspended by a general assembly in December 2023, pending a court ruling.
Despite the ongoing controversy, the UMSC remains determined to adhere to its constitution, which outlines specific reasons for the removal of officials. The situation unfolds against a backdrop of legal proceedings and differing claims of legitimacy within the Muslim leadership in Uganda.