Former Mufti Ahmad Mukasa dead

OBITUARY

KAMPALA- Former Interim Mufti of Uganda Sheikh Ahmad Mukasa Mwasansimbi is dead. According to his daughter, Mariam Nattabi, Sheikh Mukasa, 86, died at about 7:00am today of stroke at a rehabilitation centre in Bwebajja along Entebbe road, where he had been admitted for four months.

Nattabi told New Vision that her father had suffered stroke and that his right hand and leg had been paralysed for two years. Mukasa is survived with over 30 children from four wives. 

According to Nattabi, Mukasa's body will today be taken to Kibuli Mosque for prayers and later buried at  Mende Kalema Memorial Mosque in Wakiso district.

Born on October 25, 1934 at Kiruruga village, Kakiri sub-country in Wakiso district, Mukasa was the late Prince Nuhu Mbogo's special laundry man, which earned him the title of Mawulana (brightener).

At the age of six, Mukasa had already memorised five chapters of the Quran.

He attained his first formal education in 1946 at Sekabaka Nuhu Kalema Memorial Primary School and in 1948 where he completed reading all the chapters of the holy Quran.

In 1950, Mukasa completed primary six and immediately joined Katuumu Madrasatul Nahwa Al-Islamiyya Quran School founded by late former Mufti of Uganda late Sheikh Swaib Ssemakula.

On June 1, 1972, Mukasa was appointed the secretary for religious affairs in the newly-formed Uganda Muslim Supreme Council until 1993.

In 1993, Mukasa was elected Interim Mufti of Uganda in the Mbarara unity conference chaired by Professor George Kanyeihamba amidst protest from then Mufti of Uganda Sheikh Ibrahim Saad Luwemba who refused to hand over office to him, prompting Mukasa to use Kibuli as his base.  

Luwemba protested Mukasa's election, saying it had been done illegally.

Mukasa served as the interim mufti of Uganda from 1993 until 2001 when he handed over office to the duly universal elected Mufti of Uganda Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubajje. President Yoweri Museveni presided over the handover event on January 1, 2001.

In 2000, Mukasa defied his colleagues Sheikh Obeid Kamulegeya, late Supreme Mufti Shieh Zubair Kayongo and Kulumba and endorsed the 2000 UMSC elections which were won by Mubajje.

In 1993, Mukasa fought over a microphone with his rival Mufti Saad Luwemba during the Independence celebrations at Kololo Airstrip.