Ssemambo’s anti-Mubaje plot fails to gain traction
By Idriss Ahmed
Sheikh Abdallah Ssemambo’s attempt to establish a parallel leadership structure within the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) has hit a snag. Several officials who had been named executives in his splinter group have rejected these appointments.
Last week, Ssemambo’s breakaway faction announced a parallel UMSC leadership structure, naming some individuals currently serving under the Mubaje leadership to positions in their group. These include Sheikh Juma Shiwuyo, Sheikhat Radhiyah Namakula, Murshid Luwemba, and a host of regional and district Kadhis.
But in a new twist of events, the majority of the appointees from the mainstream UMSC structure issued a statement, distancing themselves from the Ssemambo faction.
According to the UMSC spokesperson, Ashiraf Zziwa Muvawala, all Kadhis and other officials named by the Ssemambo faction had formally written distancing themselves from his schemes. “All Kadhis and other officials wrote denouncing the purported change of leadership and reaffirmed their allegiance to His Eminence, Dr Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje,” he said.
Sheikhs Erias Kigozi, Ramadhan Mulindwa Nsanja, and Jamil Juma Obandio, the district Kadhis of Wakiso, Luwero, and Busia, respectively, wrote to the Mufti, Sheikh Shaban Ramathan Mubaje, denouncing Ssemambo’s claim to Muftiship.
Mubaje also received letters of show of support from Sheikhs Murshid Luwemba (secretary for Da-awah) and regional assistants to the Mufti, Ghalib Talib Hussein (Bunyoro-Toro), Hamid Sserwadda Busuungu (Kampala), and Hamid Ahmad Wandega (Eastern Uganda).
Ssemambo’s faction established its base at Tagy Hotel—less than a kilometre from the UMSC headquarters at Old Kampala. The group insists that theirs is not a parallel leadership structure but is the legitimate UMSC leaders with the mandate of the UMSC general assembly.
Ssemambo was named interim Mufti by a section of the UMSC general assembly members who convened at Gangu Primary School in Wakiso district in December 2023.
