Uganda Muslim General Assembly Suspends Mufti Mubajje, Swears In New Leader Amid Property Sale Investigation

Kampala, Uganda

In a dramatic turn of events at the Uganda Muslim General Assembly held at Ggangu School on Saturday, the assembly made a groundbreaking decision to suspend Sheikh Shaban Ramadan Mubajje and his committee from office for a six-month period. The move comes as the assembly delves into an investigation concerning a court order to sell Muslim properties, including the iconic Gaddafi National Mosque in Old Kampala.

The decision to remove Sheikh Mubajje and his team was met with both anticipation and resistance, as the Muslim community gathered to witness the swearing-in of the new Mufti of Uganda, Sheikh Abdullah Ssemambo. The assembly’s decision was influenced by a petition filed by three individuals—Babirye Yudaya, Bruhan Nuwamanya, and Hussein Ssimbwa—who raised concerns about the court-ordered sale of Muslim properties.

Attempts by Sheikh Mubajje’s team to secure an injunction against the Muslim General Assembly’s decision proved unsuccessful, as Judge Farida Shamilar Ntambi Bukirwa of Jinja High Court ordered a special sitting to address the matter promptly.

The assembly, with a quorum of 264 members, saw 183 in attendance and 81 absent. During the assembly, allegations surfaced regarding the legitimacy of some delegates.

The Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) spokesperson Ashiraf Zziwa Muvawala urged the Muslim community and members of the public to ignore reports that the Mufti of Uganda Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje has been suspended from office. He also claimed that individuals posing as delegates were picked from Namayuba Bus Park and Arua Park without proper verification by the Muslim Electoral Commission. It was further alleged that these supposed delegates were offered bribes of 100,000 Uganda shillings according to Muvawala.

Hajj Abdul Kiyimba, not the chairman of the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council, presided over the swearing-in ceremony of the new Mufti, a move contested by some members who insisted that the chairman should officiate according to the Muslim Constitution.

In response to the assembly’s decision, Sheikh Mubajje, who is still in office until the end of his term, dismissed the allegations and urged those vying for the position of Mufti to use lawful means, emphasizing that the court does not elect the Mufti. He vehemently denied deploying individuals to intimidate worshippers with stones and sticks, refuting claims of any forceful tactics.

As the Muslim community grapples with these developments, the six-month suspension of Sheikh Mubajje marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing investigation into the sale of Muslim properties, raising questions about the future leadership of the Uganda Muslim community.