News
Mubaje term extension scheme gains traction
By Abdul-Wahid Kakande & Issa Kigongo
Sheikh Shaban Ramathan Mubaje is set to be sworn in for another—albeit controversial—term as Mufti on Wednesday, March 12, following his return from Tehran, Iran, where he attended a conference on the Holy Qur’an and international diplomacy.
Mubaje will turn 70 on March 12 and was originally expected to step down in accordance with the provisions of the old Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) constitution under which he was elected. However, sources within UMSC’s top leadership have intimated to The Friday Call that a resolution to extend his tenure at Old Kampala was reached by some members of the Majilis Ulama (college of eminent sheikhs) before his trip to Tehran earlier this month.
The Majilis Ulama will hold a special meeting on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, to make the pronouncement.
However, a source revealed that some other members of the Majilis Ulama, under the influence of a prominent Sheikh on the Shura Council, are opposed to the extension of Mubaje’s term, and a team has been constituted to persuade them.
Those opposed to the extension of Mubaje’s term argue that it is time for the Muslim community to get another Mufti because there is nothing new they expect from him.
The Majilis Ulama also plans to extend the term of office for the first deputy Mufti, Sheikh Muhammad Ali Waiswa, who is also set to turn 70 years old.
However, Ali Kankaka, the former president of the Uganda Muslim Lawyers Association (UMLAS) who was part of the team that spearheaded the amendment of the UMSC constitution, argues that Mubaje’s term cannot be renewed or extended, and if done, it would be contrary to the Muslim constitution. Any aggrieved Muslim could successfully seek redress in court.
“The provisions of the new UMSC constitution are very clear, and Mubaje is aware of it, but I don’t know why he is planning to go against it,” Kankaka said.
Kankaka argues that the new UMSC constitution imposes a cap on UMSC officers, including the Mufti, who have served for 10 years or more before the inauguration of the new constitution, preventing them from being re-elected upon the expiry of their term of office.
The new UMSC constitution, which was ratified by the General Assembly on July 13, 2022, provides that the Mufti should be at least 40 years old and can serve one term of 10 years until he turns 75, a provision that has sparked confusion within the Muslim community.
Kankaka argues that while Article 5 of the UMSC empowers the Majilis Ulama to select a Mufti, it must operate within the confines of the law.
In a letter addressed to Mubaje dated February 24, 2025, Musa Miya Kasakya from Butaleja District urges the Mufti to vacate office on March 12 when he turns 70 years old so that a new Mufti can be elected.
“Your Eminence, I congratulate you for steering and fostering Muslim unity and development in Uganda. My request is that you uphold the Islamic principle of selflessness as laid down in the Quran (59:9) and peacefully retire from the position of Mufti at the end of your tenure on March 12 this year,” Kasakya wrote.
Sheikh Shaban Ramathan Mubaje is set to be sworn in for another—albeit controversial—term as Mufti on Wednesday, March 12, following his return from Tehran, Iran, where he attended a conference on the Holy Qur’an and international diplomacy.
Mubaje will turn 70 on March 12 and was originally expected to step down in accordance with the provisions of the old Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) constitution under which he was elected. However, sources within UMSC’s top leadership have intimated to The Friday Call that a resolution to extend his tenure at Old Kampala was reached by some members of the Majilis Ulama (college of eminent sheikhs) before his trip to Tehran earlier this month.
The Majilis Ulama will hold a special meeting on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, to make the pronouncement.
However, a source revealed that some other members of the Majilis Ulama, under the influence of a prominent Sheikh on the Shura Council, are opposed to the extension of Mubaje’s term, and a team has been constituted to persuade them.
Those opposed to the extension of Mubaje’s term argue that it is time for the Muslim community to get another Mufti because there is nothing new they expect from him.
The Majilis Ulama also plans to extend the term of office for the first deputy Mufti, Sheikh Muhammad Ali Waiswa, who is also set to turn 70 years old.
However, Ali Kankaka, the former president of the Uganda Muslim Lawyers Association (UMLAS) who was part of the team that spearheaded the amendment of the UMSC constitution, argues that Mubaje’s term cannot be renewed or extended, and if done, it would be contrary to the Muslim constitution. Any aggrieved Muslim could successfully seek redress in court.
“The provisions of the new UMSC constitution are very clear, and Mubaje is aware of it, but I don’t know why he is planning to go against it,” Kankaka said.
Kankaka argues that the new UMSC constitution imposes a cap on UMSC officers, including the Mufti, who have served for 10 years or more before the inauguration of the new constitution, preventing them from being re-elected upon the expiry of their term of office.
The new UMSC constitution, which was ratified by the General Assembly on July 13, 2022, provides that the Mufti should be at least 40 years old and can serve one term of 10 years until he turns 75, a provision that has sparked confusion within the Muslim community.
Kankaka argues that while Article 5 of the UMSC empowers the Majilis Ulama to select a Mufti, it must operate within the confines of the law.
In a letter addressed to Mubaje dated February 24, 2025, Musa Miya Kasakya from Butaleja District urges the Mufti to vacate office on March 12 when he turns 70 years old so that a new Mufti can be elected.
“Your Eminence, I congratulate you for steering and fostering Muslim unity and development in Uganda. My request is that you uphold the Islamic principle of selflessness as laid down in the Quran (59:9) and peacefully retire from the position of Mufti at the end of your tenure on March 12 this year,” Kasakya wrote.
