In another bout of the ongoing Muslim politics, a Muslim cleric attached to the Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) has criticized the leadership of reigning Mufti, Shaban Mubajje.
Sheikh Abdallah Ibrahim Ssemambo, the former First deputy Mufti of Uganda demanded credit for his crucial role in the development of the UMSC structures, which Mufti Mubajje takes pride in.
Mubajje, who has been supreme leader of the council since 2015 now faces steep opposition from some leaders for refusal to step down for a new leader upon reaching the designated retirement age last year.
In a media interview on Monday, February 3, 2025, at his offices in Buziga, he reported all visible successes attributed to the UMSC stem from his efforts as Mubajje’s first senior advisor.
According to him, Mufti Mubajje’s accomplishments were due to his advisory support, taking the most credit for the construction of the Kibuli mosque.
“I successfully advocated for the mosque’s construction by engaging with key elders in Kibuli, including Prince Kasim Nakibinge Kakungulu and Sheikh Rajjab Kakooza, among others, to secure their approval,” Ssemambo stated.
He mentioned that at the age of 30, he appealed to the elders to grant Mubajje permission to build the mosque, and from that moment on, no one from Kibuli has opposed the mosque’s construction nationwide.
He stated that he created a supportive environment for Mufti Mubajje and united the Muslim community during that time, which allowed for the continuation of his leadership.
Sheikh Ssemambo reported that in 2016, he found Mufti Mubajje attending Juma prayers only on Fridays and returns to his village in Mbale for nearly a month.
He advised that this absence would hinder the effective development of the UMSC and advised him to stay at the headquarters to plan for the future of the Muslim community.
“Mufti Mubajje faced rejection from the Muslim community and the UMSC headquarters, where his leadership was largely limited to hosting Juma prayers on Fridays. He claimed that it was his efforts to communicate with the community that helped gain acceptance for his role as Mufti of Uganda,” he said.
Since the emergence of the demands and accusations, Mufti Mubajje is yet to give his stand or a public statement on the matter.
The Muslim constitutional provision, which provides that a Muslim leader retire at the age of 70, has left many Ugandan Muslims questioning the credibility of the law, especially with Mubajje’s silence.
Sheikh Ssemambo’s claims are likely to deepen tensions among the Muslim leadership and community at large if Mubajje declines to step down.
