Muslim Leaders reject Ssemambo’s election as Mufti, affirm Mubajje as sole authority

The Muslim community in Eastern Uganda has publicly rejected the election of Sheikh Abdallah Ssemambo, the former assistant to Mufti Sheikh Shaban Ramathan Mubajje as the saga of Muslim leadership takes a new twist.

During a convened meeting on Friday at Nkoma Secondary School in Mbale City, the regional Muslim leaders concluded that Ssemambo’s election was perceived as illegitimate and unacceptable.

Accompanied by the Regional Assistant Mufti, Sheikh Ahmad Haamid Wandega, the Muslim leaders issued a formal document denouncing the election and cautioning those involved. The document firmly underscores that Mufti Ramathan Mubajje remains the sole recognized Mufti in Uganda.

In a joint statement read by Al-hajji Ali Ahmed Mazrui, the executive member of the UMSC National representing the Eastern region, the leaders denounced and rejected the purported elected Mufti saying the UMSC has not elected a new Mufti other than Sheikh Mubajje.

“I’m here with the region to denounce and reject the talk of the purported Mufti. We as UMSC have not elected a new Mufti for your information and we know His eminence Sheikh Dr. Shaban Ramathan Mubajje,” part of the statement reads.

This declaration according to the Eastern Muslim leaders was aimed at clarifying any confusion and maintaining the integrity of leadership within the Muslim community with the guidance of the Constitution rather than acting unconstitutionally which they say is aimed at disuniting Muslims.

“Dear Muslim community, electing Mufti UMSC has a constitution which guides Muslims on how to remove and to elect Mufti but not by through unconstitutional means and we can not therefore associate with unserious slow thinkers and enemies of Islam who are paid to fight and destroy the unity of the Muslim Uma in Uganda,” the leaders noted in a formal statement.

The Muslim leaders told the press that they bought two properties where they earn a monthly income of 15m shillings and that the money came from the Sembabule land which was sold after realizing that UMSC was earning nothing out of the said dormant and unproductive land. This is the land which Sheikh Semambo’s group accuse Mufti Mubajje of selling and eating the money.

However, addressing misinformation circulating in select media outlets, the judiciary has issued a clarification asserting that Sheikh Abdallah Ssemambo lacks the authorization to act as the interim Mufti of the UMSC and this responds to the false reports that on Thursday, December 21, the high court endorsed the decision of the Resident judge Jinja, resulting in Semambo’s supposed appointment as the acting Mufti.

In an official statement, the judiciary emphasized that Lady Justice Alexandra Nkonge Rugadya intervened by issuing a stay order to prevent the execution and implementation of resolutions made during the general assembly on December 16 and 17, 2023.

Meanwhile, the chairperson of UMSC, Al-hajj Prof Dr Muhamadi Lubega Kisambira has suspended the first deputy Mufti Sheikh Abudallah Ssemambo based on the petition of impeachment presented to him by members of the joint session of the UMSC.

READ HERE: UMSC Boss suspends Sheikh Ssemambo from Deputy Mufti position

In a letter seen by DailyExpress, dated December 22, 2023, and addressed to Sheikh Ssemambo, the petitioners fault Sheikh Ssemambo for conducting himself in a manner that is unbefitting of his office and abrogating the constitution of the UMSC.