Luwero Muslim district protests ‘irregular’ headteacher transfers
Ahmed Idriss
The Luwero Muslim district, under the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC), has formally raised alarm over what it calls “gross mismanagement” of Muslim education affairs in the district.
In a February 2, 2026, letter addressed to Luwero chief administrative officer (CAO), the District Kadhi, Sheikh Mulindwa Ramadhan, claims that the district education officer (DEO) has ignored repeated requests for information on retiring and eligible headteachers in Muslim founded schools, essential for the lawful management of school leadership.
The Kadhi further alleges that other Muslim groups, including a community-based organization called greater Luwero Muslim community, and Uganda Muslim Education Association (UMEA) 1995, have been irregularly involved in proposing transfers of headteachers, actions the district says undermine the recognized foundation body, Luwero Muslim district, which represents UMSC at the local level.
“Our office was shocked to receive a proposed list titled “Transfer of headteachers – UMEA schools 2026″ bearing the DEO letterhead,” the Kadhi’s letter states. “It appears there are invisible hands within the district system mismanaging Muslim education affairs by introducing factions that do not represent our schools.”
UMEA is a fully registered Muslim education organisation that serves all stakeholders in the Muslim education sector across the country and plays the role of foundation body for Muslim faith-based schools and institutions established under its patronage or affiliated to it.
It was formed in 1936 by Prince Badru Kakungulu to care for Muslim education at the time when the colonial government had entrusted education in the hands of the Christian missionaries who deliberately excluded Muslims or converted them before admission to their schools.
It is not clear whether Sheikh Mulindwa seeks to wrestle control of the Muslim schools from the Association.
The Muslim district leadership thus asked the district authorities to halt all transfers of headteachers and their deputies pending an assessment of current school performance, enrolment, and administrator effectiveness, citing the Education Act, 2008, and UMSC education policy 4.0, which require consultation with the recognised foundation body.
Copies of the correspondence have also been sent to the Mufti of Uganda, the UMSC secretary-general, and other key district and education officials.
