• Office of Secretary General, Religious Affairs
• By: UMSC Admin

Hon. Counsel Haj Muhammad Ali Aluma, the Secretary General of the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) on Tuesday recieved a delegation of Muslims from Nsimbe Memorial Mosque in Bayita’ababiri Village, Katabi Sub-county, Wakiso District, near the Entebbe express highway.
The delegation was led by Sheikh Muhammad Abdul-Kadir Kirya, the Mosque Imam, along with other Committee members. Their visit aimed at expressing gratitude to the UMSC Secretary General’s Office for providing legal support in a civil case related to the ownership of a portion of land housing the mosque.
The dispute originated from a claim by city businessman Emmy Ssegwanyi, who asserted ownership of the land, which was originally donated to the Muslim community by the late Haj Bulaimu Nsimbe. The late Nsimbe alias “Salopassi” (founder of cough mixture) was known for his strong support of UMSC and played an active role in promoting Muslim activities from the 1970s until his passing in the late 1980s.
Following Haj Nsimbe’s death, his son Ibrahim Mwanje raised false claims that the mosque compound belonged to their family. This led to a heated disagreement between the mosque leadership and the Nsimbe family. During the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown imposed by the government, Mwanje, in collaboration with local leaders, land officials, and security personnel, allegedly attempted to sell the Nsimbe Memorial Mosque compound to Ssegwanyi.
However, Muslims vehemently opposed this move, resulting in two years of ongoing conflicts. Ssegwanyi used various security agencies to detain Muslims, accusing them of trespassing on the property. Earlier this year, Ssegwanyi filed a civil suit against UMSC to claim rights over the property.
As part of the legal process, he filed two miscellaneous applications—one as an interim application and another as temporary injunctions—to restrict any activity on the property, including religious functions, pending the outcome of the main suit.
On September 5th, 2023, both applications were heard, and UMSC, represented by its Legal Officer, Counsel Bunyasin Ibrahim, successfully argued its case to the satisfaction of the trial judge leading to the dismissal of both applications to insufficient grounds.
Counsel Haj Aluma, in his remarks, drew inspiration from the Holy Quran and the experiences of Prophet Muhammad and his companions who faced trials and adversity. He encouraged the congregation to remain united, steadfast, and firm in serving the community under UMSC. On behalf of UMSC, he pledged to continue providing necessary support, as the office has been doing. Present at the meeting was Counsel Bunyasin Ibrahim, UMSC Legal Officer.