A section of Ugandan Muslims on Tuesday marched to Parliament to petition the Speaker, protesting against the re-selection of Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubajje as Mufti of Uganda, despite his tenure ending on March 12, 2025.
The protesters, numbering over 50, attempted to march to Parliament but were intercepted by police at Wandegeya traffic lights. Wandegeya Division Police Commander Hassan Atuhingire led the security operation, which resulted in a negotiation allowing seven representatives to proceed to Parliament, while the rest were dispersed.
The petitioners argue that Sheikh Mubajje’s continued leadership contravenes the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) Constitution.
According to their petition:
Article 5 (7) of the old UMSC Constitution (1972) stipulated that the Mufti must retire upon reaching 70 years, a milestone Mubajje reached on March 12, 2025.
The amended 2022 UMSC Constitution (Article 5.9) limits the Mufti to one 10-year term, further disqualifying Mubajje from re-selection.
Article 29 (12) states that officials elected under previous laws cannot automatically extend their tenure under the new constitution.
Despite these provisions, the Joint Session of the Executive Committee and the Majlis Ulaama on March 13, 2025, selected Mubajje for another term, a decision the petitioners say is unlawful.
The petitioners also warned that Mubajje’s continued leadership is affecting Uganda’s relationship with key international Muslim organizations.
They revealed that the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), the Arab League, and Muslim donor nations like Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt have threatened to suspend financial aid to Uganda’s Muslim community unless the leadership dispute is resolved.
“This could impact critical programs, including Islamic education, welfare support, and mosque construction,” the petitioners noted.
In their petition to Speaker Anita Among, the protesters made three key demands: Immediate retirement of Mubajje in compliance with the UMSC Constitution, Appointment of the 1st Deputy Mufti to take over for 60 days, pending a fair and transparent election and Government oversight to ensure the UMSC follows constitutional guidelines in future selections.
Sheikh Mubajje’s leadership has been a subject of controversy for years, with factions within the UMSC often disagreeing on governance matters. The latest dispute now puts both Parliament and the Muslim leadership under pressure to resolve the matter amicably.
The situation remains tense as stakeholders await Parliament’s response. Meanwhile, the protesters have threatened further demonstrations at Old Kampala if their demands are not met.
This developing story continues to attract nationwide attention, with legal, religious, and political implications for Uganda’s Muslim leadership.
