UMSC suspends Sheikh Swaleh Mubiru over erroneous Qur’anic teachings

By Ahmed Idriss

The Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) has suspended Sheikh Swaleh Mubiru from preaching and conducting Islamic learning sessions following findings that his teachings deviate from mainstream Islamic scholarship. The decision was announced on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at the UMSC headquarters in Kampala.

Dr. Ziyad Swalleh Lubanga, Director of Sharia at the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council and chair of the review committee, delivered the verdict on behalf of the Mufti of Uganda, Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje. The committee had engaged Sheikh Mubiru over several weeks to evaluate his doctrinal positions.

“The committee found that Brother Swaleh Mubiru is interpreting the Holy Qur’an out of context and is not willing to conform to established intellectual orientation,” Dr. Lubanga said. “His approach appears closely aligned to the Quran Yun movement, which relies solely on the Qur’an for deriving legislation and rejects the Sunnah as a source.”

The committee noted that proper Qur’anic interpretation requires mastery of Hadith, principles of Tafsir, Islamic jurisprudence, Aqeedah, and Arabic linguistics. Dr. Lubanga explained, “Brother Mubiru demonstrated limited comprehension of Qur’anic terminology and a weak command of Arabic linguistics, which are essential for authentic exegesis.”

The committee also raised concerns about Mubiru’s insistence on selective Qur’anic greetings, rejection of traditional supplication methods, and claims regarding his educational background. “He has not studied Islamic law to a level that qualifies him to issue fatwas or religious rulings,” Dr. Lubanga said.

As a result, the UMSC has prohibited Mubiru from preaching or conducting religious learning sessions in mosques, Islamic schools, Muslim social gatherings, and on Muslim-based media channels aligned with Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jama’a.

Dr. Lubanga clarified, “This decision is intended to protect the image of the Islamic faith and its spirituality from unnecessary confusion, and to foster Muslim unity and brotherhood.”

The suspension will remain in effect until Mubiru withdraws his teachings and apologizes, after which he may be considered for reinstatement. The committee also recommended that Mubiru be offered a scholarship in Sharia studies to strengthen his understanding of proper Qur’anic interpretation.

Dr. Lubanga further warned Muslims against affiliating with heretical movements or considering Mubiru as a religious advisor until he returns to mainstream Islamic theology.

“We strongly advise the wider Muslim fraternity never to consider him as their religious advisor, teacher, or preacher when seeking Islamic knowledge and understanding,” he said.

The UMSC also called on mosque imams and Muslim clerics to relay the pronouncement to their followers and urged the public to distance themselves from Mubiru’s erroneous teachings.