Masaka Tabligh community in turmoil over leadership dispute

By Fahad Malik

Tension is high among the Muslim community in Masaka following the spread of information that the top leadership of Jamuiyyat Tabliqh Daawa Assalafiyya has reportedly dismissed the Masaka District Amir for unclear reasons.

Reports of the alleged sacking of Sheikh Abadallah Mutazindwa have been fuelled by messages circulating on Muslim social media platforms in the region, indicating that a new District Amir will be announced and sworn in on 22nd August 2025.

In response, the Masaka leadership selected four members of its executive committee to meet with the Amir al-Ummah, Sheikh Yunus Kamoga, regarding the matter.

According to a statement dated 20th August 2025 released by the Masaka District Executive, the leadership distanced itself from the circulating messages concerning the swearing-in of a new Amir scheduled for Friday, stating that they were not aware of such plans.

The statement further revealed that the delegation that met with Amir Kamoga agreed that no new leadership should be instituted in the district before both the existing and proposed leadership have mutually agreed on any intended changes.

The Masaka Executive has called for calm within the Muslim community, assuring them that the executive is planning to meet with the Amir al-Ummah and that any agreed-upon outcomes will be communicated to the wider Muslim fraternity.

However, when contacted for comment, the Jamuiyyat Secretary General, Jamil Ibrahim Mayengo, referred to Sheikh Mutazindwa as the “former District Amir of Masaka” and clarified that he was not suspended but rather promoted to the position of Regional Amir for the Greater Masaka region.

Mayengo explained that this new role would make Sheikh Mutazindwa a representative on the Shuura (Consultative Council), the highest organ within Jamuiyyat Tabliqh Da’awa Assalafiyya (JTDS). He added that Sheikh Mutazindwa is free to decide whether to accept the regional position or not, noting that the National Executive Committee of JTDS is already taking steps to resolve the issue amicably and that a unified resolution will be reached soon.

“If Sheikh Mutazindwa feels that he would prefer to continue serving as District Amir instead of taking up responsibilities at the Shuura level, he is free to do so, and the matter can be reconsidered in good spirit. We emphasize that we remain brothers and sisters in Islam, working together for the progress of our community,” Mayengo added.

In response, Sheikh Mutazindwa expressed surprise at the leadership’s approach, accusing them of using the regional promotion as a way to sideline him despite being aware that he had previously declined the position in order to remain as District Amir.

Although the matter has only recently surfaced, The Friday Call has established that on 22nd July 2025, Sheikh Mutazindwa submitted a resignation letter to the Secretary of the Jamuiyyat, stating that he had resigned from the office of Regional Amir to concentrate on his role as District Amir. The letter was received and acknowledged.

The resignation letter reads in part: “This is to tender in my resignation from the office of Regional Amir to concentrate on the position of District Amir… the workload has proved to be too much, demanding and likely to result in inefficient service to the Ummah.”

Meanwhile, Muslims in Masaka have described the decision to remove Sheikh Mutazindwa as a move that could cause disunity among Muslims in the region.

Sheikh Umar Sserunjoji, the spokesperson for the Tabligh group in the region, has called for calm, assuring the community that they are engaging with the top leadership to ensure the issue is settled amicably.