Muslim body suspends Mufti Mubajje
Jun 27, 2010
THE power struggle between the Mufti, Sheik Shaban Mubajje and Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) chairman Hassan Basajjabalaba has deepened, with the council’s top organ suspending the Mufti.
By Madinah Tebajjukira
THE power struggle between the Mufti, Sheik Shaban Mubajje and Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) chairman Hassan Basajjabalaba has deepened, with the council’s top organ suspending the Mufti.
The general assembly, the supreme body on Muslim matters, on Saturday suspended Mubajje basing on a damning report from the council vice-chairman, Ahmed Wadrif, following a January- February probe.
Earlier, Mubajje told the press that the Joint Session (JS) had upheld Basajjabalaba’s suspension until the general assembly sits. The JS is the second organ of the UMSC, made up of the executive and the college of sheiks (Majlis Ulama).
Mubajje said Dr. Badru Balonde, who is a lecturer at Mbale Islamic university, was acting chairman.
In the evening, the general assembly, led by Basajjabalaba, met at Sam Sam Hotel in Mengo after accusing Mubajje of denying them access to the UMSC headquarters.
“How can Mubajje lock us out of council premises? How can he lock out people who elected him? This is unbefitting Islamic principles! This is enough evidence that he should be relieved of his duties,†said Hajji Suleiman Masaba.
On June 14, Basajjabalaba suspended Mubajje. Two days later, Mubajje also suspended Basajjabalaba over commissioning an investigation against him, which he said was biased.
They both acted after receiving petitions from members of the Joint Session, calling for the impeachments.
Basajjabalaba’s petition against Mubajje was signed by 12 members, while the petition against Basajjabalaba was signed by 16 members.
“Members resolved that since there were no clear reasons in Basajjabalaba’s defence, he remains on suspension until the general assembly is called to pronounce itself.
“As of now, I cannot tell when the general assembly will sit because we have no resources at hand,†Mubajje said.
According to the UMSC constitution, when a council chairman is suspended, the general assembly sits within 14 days.
At Sam Sam Hotel, where Basajjabalaba chaired another meeting, Badru Sabila from Kapachorwa, presented a situational report on the rift.
Sabila said the rift had split the executive committee and the college of sheikhs, which form the Joint Session.
“It is unfortunate that the findings of the probe committee unearthed a lot of facts on how the Mufti has become autocratic, despotic and dictatorial at the council,†Sabila reported.
Members resolved to suspend Mubajje until Saturday when the general assembly will sit again to take the final ruling.
Addressing the press after their meeting, Basajjabalaba said the Joint Session Mubajje had chaired was illegal.
“The Joint Session cannot suspend the council chairman. It’s only the general assembly, acting on proposals by the Joint Session, which can do so. What Mubajje has done today was illegal,†said Hajji Abdul Ssekabira from the central region.
The members asked the UMSC secretary general to convene another meeting.
THE power struggle between the Mufti, Sheik Shaban Mubajje and Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) chairman Hassan Basajjabalaba has deepened, with the council’s top organ suspending the Mufti.
The general assembly, the supreme body on Muslim matters, on Saturday suspended Mubajje basing on a damning report from the council vice-chairman, Ahmed Wadrif, following a January- February probe.
Earlier, Mubajje told the press that the Joint Session (JS) had upheld Basajjabalaba’s suspension until the general assembly sits. The JS is the second organ of the UMSC, made up of the executive and the college of sheiks (Majlis Ulama).
Mubajje said Dr. Badru Balonde, who is a lecturer at Mbale Islamic university, was acting chairman.
In the evening, the general assembly, led by Basajjabalaba, met at Sam Sam Hotel in Mengo after accusing Mubajje of denying them access to the UMSC headquarters.
“How can Mubajje lock us out of council premises? How can he lock out people who elected him? This is unbefitting Islamic principles! This is enough evidence that he should be relieved of his duties,†said Hajji Suleiman Masaba.
On June 14, Basajjabalaba suspended Mubajje. Two days later, Mubajje also suspended Basajjabalaba over commissioning an investigation against him, which he said was biased.
They both acted after receiving petitions from members of the Joint Session, calling for the impeachments.
Basajjabalaba’s petition against Mubajje was signed by 12 members, while the petition against Basajjabalaba was signed by 16 members.
“Members resolved that since there were no clear reasons in Basajjabalaba’s defence, he remains on suspension until the general assembly is called to pronounce itself.
“As of now, I cannot tell when the general assembly will sit because we have no resources at hand,†Mubajje said.
According to the UMSC constitution, when a council chairman is suspended, the general assembly sits within 14 days.
At Sam Sam Hotel, where Basajjabalaba chaired another meeting, Badru Sabila from Kapachorwa, presented a situational report on the rift.
Sabila said the rift had split the executive committee and the college of sheikhs, which form the Joint Session.
“It is unfortunate that the findings of the probe committee unearthed a lot of facts on how the Mufti has become autocratic, despotic and dictatorial at the council,†Sabila reported.
Members resolved to suspend Mubajje until Saturday when the general assembly will sit again to take the final ruling.
Addressing the press after their meeting, Basajjabalaba said the Joint Session Mubajje had chaired was illegal.
“The Joint Session cannot suspend the council chairman. It’s only the general assembly, acting on proposals by the Joint Session, which can do so. What Mubajje has done today was illegal,†said Hajji Abdul Ssekabira from the central region.
The members asked the UMSC secretary general to convene another meeting.