Mbale Khadi elected Mufti

By Jude Etyang and Edris Kisambira THE Mbale district Khadi, Sheikh Shaban Ramathan Mubajje, has been elected the Mufti of the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC). Mubajje, 45, was unanimously voted yesterday by the general assembly, ending the three-day election conference at Hotel Africana, Kampala. The second nominee, Sheik Twaib Mukuye, was made the deputy Mufti, after Mubajje's closest rival, Sheik Rajab Kakoza, withdrew his candidature. The post of Secretary General was filled by Haji Edirisa Kasenene. Mubajje, who has been the Mbale Khadi since 1981, is pursuing a Ph.D. in Philosophy at the Islamic University in Mbale and holds a Masters degree in religious studies from Makerere University. At a press conference yesterday at the UMSC offices in Old Kampala, Mubajje said his main objective is to unite and develop the Muslims. "We have been confused, fighting each other over non issues. It's time to put our differences aside and work together for a better future of the entire Muslim community," Mubajje said. He promised to review the UMSC Constitution and remove its contradictions. Sheikh Ahmed Ssemakula, the former acting Mufti, said he was happy to hand over the seat. Ends.