Sheik Zubair Kayongo dies

By Eddie Ssejjoba               

A senior Muslim scholar also known as 'Supreme Mufti,' Sheik Zubair Kayongo of the Kibuli based faction has passed on.

The Kibuli faction Spokesperson, Sheik Hassan Kirya, confirmed that Kayongo died on Thursday morning at Aga Khan Hospital in Dar es Salaam. He was on Monday rushed to Tanzania.

Sheik Kayongo, 83, was one of the VIPs at the Kabaka’s 60th birth day celebrations at Bulange Mengo on Monday.

Sheik Kayongo greet Kabaka Muwenda Mutebi during the Kabaka's 58th birthday celebrations at Lubiri. PHOTO/Eddie Ssejjoba

Sheik Kayongo (3rd left front row) in a group photograph Kabaka Mutebi took with leaders of different faiths at Lubiri. PHOTO/Eddie Ssejjoba

Sheik Kirya said from Bulange Kayongo had travelled to Tanzania on an official visit, but on arrival at Dar es Salaam airport, he was in bad condition. He was instead rushed to Aga Khan hospital where he was admitted.

During the Kabaka birthday celebrations at Bulange, Kayongo was visibly weak and walked while being supported by two colleagues.

  The late Sheik Kayongo (seated, middle) talks to one of his handlers during the 20th coronation celebations of Kabaka Mutebi at Lubiri. PHOTO/ Eddie Ssejjoba 

Last week Kayongo, who was diabetic and had high blood pressure, was rushed to Case Hospital for treatment.

Following news of his death, Kirya said, Muslim leaders had immediately converged for a meeting at Kibuli and said he would give details later.

In this photograph the late Sheik Kayongo receives items for Eid celebrations  from the Inspector General of Police Gen. Kale Kayihura. PHOTO/  Eddie Ssejjoba

Provisional arrangements for returning the body, according to Kirya, are that the remains will first be transferred to Dar es Salaam Muslim Mosque for prayers before they are flown back here.

Sheik Kayongo's profile

Sheik Kayongo was born in Bbaale, Kayunga district to the late Hajji Sowedi Kayongo.

He studied at Katuumu Muslim School in Luweero district  where most of the old regime of Sheiks were trained under the Sheik Swaibu Ssemakula, the first Mufti.

Later he joined Lamu Muslim College in Kenya. He started teaching Islamic studies in 1955.

He served as a deputy Mufti to Sheik Luwemba in the 1980s. He also held the same post under Sheik Ahmad Mukasa who was leading a Muslim faction based at Kibuli Mosque.

Kayongo was also a member of the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council's College of Sheiks.

He has been close to the Buganda Kingdom leadership at Mengo heading a conflict resolution committee of one of
Buganda's clans, the Kkobe.

He has residences in Kiteezi on Gayaza Road in Wakiso district and Lwamata in Kiboga district.

He was elected rival Mufti in January 2009 by a faction of Muslim clerics who opposed the Mufti of Uganda, Sheik Shaban Ramadhan Mubajje and declared their leader at Kibuli Mosque during Juma prayers.

Kayongo was elected after Sheik Mubajje refused to step down following accusations by fellow Sheiks of irregularly selling Muslim properties that included the Masjid Mosque on William Street.