Muslim properties: Mufti Mubaje wants some individuals held culpable

KAMPALA - Mufti of Uganda Sheikh Shaban Mubaje says some individuals within the Muslim community should be held culpable for illegally occupying Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) properties.

The Mufti, whose 23-year tenure has been characterised by endless accusations of fraudulently selling off Muslim properties, said this while meeting Kayunga district Muslim leaders at the UMSC headquarters in Old Kampala on Wednesday, November 13, 2024.

The delegation was led by Haji Sulaiman Madada, the UMSC general assembly representative for Kayunga Muslim district and included Kayunga Resident District Commissioner Marian Seguya and Sheikh Umar Gugumiza.

“He (Mubaje) pointed out some individuals within the Muslim community who have been sowing discord and illegally occupying UMSC property. ‘These individuals are the true culprits,’ he stated,” a UMSC press statement issued on Thursday said without mentioning names.

It was released by UMSC spokesperson Ashiraf Zziwa.

When New Vision Online asked Zziwa who the Mufti was referring to as the real culprits, he said a clique of people at the Kibuli-based parallel Muslim administration in Kampala.

“The clique, which the Mufti referred to are those who claim to belong to Kibuli,” he said when asked to clarify.

Efforts to get a comment from Dr Muhammad Kiggundu, the director of communication and research in the Office of the Supreme Mufti in Kibuli were futile by the time of writing this story.

Zziwa’s statement also said Mubaje reflected on the history of UMSC and its progress despite challenges.

“He praised the recent amendment of the UMSC constitution, which has led to greater stability and the appointment of qualified leaders,” it said.

The Mufti emphasised the importance of being God-conscious and respecting authorities, as outlined in the Holy Koran and the Hadith (the teachings and traditions of prophet Muhammad).

“He (Mubaje) concluded by urging all Muslims to support UMSC in its efforts to drive development within the community,” the statement said.

What the delegation said

The statement said Madada explained that the visit was to celebrate the elevation of Sheikh Hafiz Muhammad Bukenya, the former Kayunga Kadhi, to the esteemed position of 2nd Deputy Mufti of Uganda.

“The appointment of Sheikh Bukenya has brought Kayunga Muslim district into the spotlight. We are celebrating both his promotion and the district’s recognition,” he said.

Seguya praised the Mufti for his efforts in fostering cooperation with the National Resistance Movement-led government, which has “countered accusations that the government is hostile to Muslims”.

“The government is often falsely accused of targeting innocent Muslim men, particularly those who follow the Tablighi/Salafi movement, commonly recognised for their distinctive attire,” she stated.

She also commended the Mufti for his significant contributions to community development.

District secretary Hirya Miradi presented a report on Kayunga’s current state, highlighting several challenges.

These included a private company illegally controlling government-aided Muslim schools and a rival group based in Kibuli that was collecting funds from abattoirs without disclosing financial accountability.

Miradi requested that Kayunga be temporarily relieved from UMSC’s quarterly remittances due to difficulties in identifying reliable revenue sources for equitable distribution under UMSC's financial policy.

Hadji Abbas Muluubya Ssekyanzi, the UMSC secretary general, advised the leaders to encourage their followers to make personal contributions, such as Swadaq (charity), to support Islamic activities.

He also promised to follow up on the issues concerning Muslim-founded schools and halal slaughtering in abattoirs.

“Sheikh Bukenya shared several achievements since assuming the office of Kadhi, including the construction of 80 new mosques in just two years, bringing the total number of UMSC mosques to 250. He also highlighted the welfare initiatives for mosque imams,” the statement said.

The Mufti hailed Sheikh Bukenya. 

“Sheikh Bukenya was appointed because he possesses the necessary qualifications and exemplifies humility and leadership,” he said.

Present at the meeting were Sheikh Imran Abdnoor Ssali, the UMSC secretary for religious affairs, and Sheikh Abdul-Karim Abdullah Katamba, the director of Halal and regional assistant to the Mufti for the Ankole-Kigezi Muslim region.