Sheikh Mubaje begins new term as Mufti
By Ahmed Idriss
It is now official—Sheikh Shaban Ramathan Mubaje will serve an extended term as Mufti of Uganda. The Madinah-trained cleric took a new oath of office on Thursday, March 13, following the expiration of his previous tenure upon reaching the constitutional age limit of 70. His new mandate allows him to remain in office for the next 10 years.
Mubaje was sworn in at a low-key event held at the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) headquarters in Old Kampala. The Majlis Al-Ulama (College of Sheikhs) re-elected him as Mufti, and the decision was unanimously approved by the Joint Session of the UMSC.
Sheikh Mubaje, who turned 70 on March 12, was initially elected under the 1987 UMSC Constitution, which stipulated that a Mufti remains in office until reaching that age. However, the current UMSC Constitution, amended in 2022, includes transitional provisions under Article 29(12), requiring those in office at the time of enactment to complete their tenure without automatic extension.
Dr. Muhammadi Lubega Kisambira, the UMSC National Chairman, said that the decision to extend Mubaje’s term was reached following a process initiated by the secretary-general, Hajji Abbas Mulubya Ssekyanzi.
“The secretary-general notified the National Chairman of the approaching end of tenure for the Mufti of Uganda on January 6. Upon a resolution by the national executive committee, the national chairman instructed the director of Sharia to convene a meeting of Majlis Al-Ulama specifically to elect a new Mufti or Deputy Mufti, as per Article 7(1),” Kisambira said.
Kisambira stated that the renewal was based on a legal opinion provided by the council’s lawyer, Adam Makmot Kibwanga, who advised the Majlis Al-Ulama that extending Mubaje’s tenure does not contradict the constitution.
“This decision was based on the need for continuity and stability to ensure a smooth transition in UMSC leadership. The selection of Sheikh Dr. Shaban Ramathan Mubaje as Mufti and Sheikh Muhammad Ali Waiswa as the new First Deputy Mufti was made in accordance with the provisions of the new constitution. Article 5(9) stipulates that a person elected as Mufti shall serve a single 10-year term and shall not be eligible to seek the office again after its expiration,” Kisambira added.
Kisambira said that the council is unbothered by the two petitions before court that sought to stop Mubaje from swearing in as Mufti for a new term. The petitions were filed on March 7, by Swaibu Nsimbe, Twayibu Byansi, Musa Kalokora and Musa Kasakya.
“Two applications HCMA 181 of 2025, seeking a temporary injunction to restrain the swearing-in of the Mufti, and HCMA 182 of 2025, seeking an interim order to restrain the swearing-in pending the determination of HCMA 181 of 2025, were fixed for hearing on March 12, at 2:00 pm. UMSC was served at around 1:30 pm. We honoured the court and appeared with our lawyers. The court was not persuaded by the applicants and both applications were denied,” Kisambira said.
“The court ordered the respondents to make defence submissions by March 19 and set a hearing for the case on March 24,” he added.
In his acceptance speech, Sheikh Mubaje expressed gratitude to the Majlis Al-Ulama for the term extension and called on Muslims to begin preparing for his eventual replacement.
“I urge Muslims to think of my replacement, as I will use this term to prepare for a transition. It is vital for Muslims to think outside the box and prepare for who will take over from us,” he said.
Sheikh Muhammad Ali Waiswa, whose re-election as first deputy has also been contentious, called for unity among Muslims.
“We must unite and support one another, as the Quran urges Muslims to be one. Division only weakens us,” he said.
