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Police block anti-Mubaje protesters in Kampala
The protestors hit cul-de-sac at the Wandegeya traffic lights and the Police allowed only seven representatives to proceed with their petition to the Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among.
Mubaje’s tenure has been characterized by a series of accusations of fraudulently selling Muslim properties.
By: Umar Kashaka, Journalist @New Vision
KAMPALA - Wandegeya Police in Uganda's capital Kampala on Tuesday blocked a group of Muslims marching to Parliament in protest of the recent re-election of Mufti of Uganda Sheikh Shaban Mubaje.
The about 50-strong group held up banners bearing messages and chanted slogans calling for Mubaje to vacate the office after clocking the mandatory retirement age of 70 on March 12, 2025, as stipulated by the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) constitution of 1986.
Mufti has led USMC for 24 years.
“Don’t violate our constitution,” read one banner.
The protestors hit cul-de-sac at the Wandegeya traffic lights and the Police allowed only seven representatives to proceed with their petition to the Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among.
Led by Wandegeya Division Police Commander Hassan Hiwumbire, the Police then dispersed the rest of the group.
'New constitution'
Mubaje started his new five-year term last Thursday (March 13) at UMSC headquarters in Kampala after the College of Eminent Sheikhs (Majlis Al-Ulama) endorsed him.
Led by Wandegeya Division Police Commander Hassan Hiwumbire, the Police then dispersed the rest of the group.
'New constitution'
Mubaje started his new five-year term last Thursday (March 13) at UMSC headquarters in Kampala after the College of Eminent Sheikhs (Majlis Al-Ulama) endorsed him.
Prof. Muhammad Kisambira, the USMC chairman, said Majlis Al-Ulama and their legal advisors found that the Mufti seeking another term does not contradict the new UMSC constitution of 2022.
“Ultimately, they chose to select Dr Shaban Mubajje as the new Mufti of Uganda and Sheikh Muhammad Ali Waiswa as the First Deputy Mufti of Uganda. These will be new terms under the new constitution and not an extension,” he said.
Waiswa recently celebrated his 70th birthday.
Mubaje’s tenure has been characterized by a series of accusations of fraudulently selling Muslim properties.
However, he is reported to have said in November 2024 that some individuals within the Muslim community should be held culpable for illegally occupying UMSC properties.
“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 said without mentioning names.
That press statement was issued by UMSC spokesperson Ashiraf Zziwa.
“Ultimately, they chose to select Dr Shaban Mubajje as the new Mufti of Uganda and Sheikh Muhammad Ali Waiswa as the First Deputy Mufti of Uganda. These will be new terms under the new constitution and not an extension,” he said.
Waiswa recently celebrated his 70th birthday.
Mubaje’s tenure has been characterized by a series of accusations of fraudulently selling Muslim properties.
However, he is reported to have said in November 2024 that some individuals within the Muslim community should be held culpable for illegally occupying UMSC properties.
“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 said without mentioning names.
That press statement was issued by UMSC spokesperson Ashiraf Zziwa.