UMSC Disowns Alleged Special General Assembly Meeting.
The Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) has issued a cautionary statement to Honourable Members of the General Assembly, advising them not to respond to any invitations circulating on social media platforms regarding an alleged special General Assembly. This announcement was part of a press release delivered by Hon. Prof. Dr. Muhamadi Lubega Kisambira, the UMSC National Chairperson, at the UMSC Headquarters on December 14th, 2023. Prof. Kisambira emphasized that the purported Muslim Sunni individuals mentioned in the court ruling, who were cited as petitioners leading to the court’s directive for a special Assembly, are unrecognized and unrelated to the UMSC structure. Therefore, they lack the authority to convene any UMSC meetings. He clarified that the court’s orders, which included convening the sitting at an undisclosed neutral location, presided over by an individual with unknown intentions and on an unspecified date, clearly violate Article 17 of the UMSC Constitution 2022. This article stipulates specific procedures for convening such meetings. Prof. Kisambira stressed that all Council meetings, both ordinary and extraordinary, are initiated by the directives of the UMSC National Chairperson and called by the Hon. Secretary General.
In conclusion, Prof. Lubega strongly urged Members of the General Assembly to remain composed, avoid misinformation via phone calls or various media channels, and cautioned against responding to individuals attempting unconstitutional means to organize meetings of uncertain intent. He advised them to disregard any present or future attempts to convene such meetings, emphasizing their commitment to upholding the UMSC Constitution through their sworn oaths.
Additionally, Prof. Kisambira expressed gratitude to the Judiciary for the Court of Appeal ruling that halted the auction of UMSC prime properties, an action initially directed by a lower court in response to a case brought against the UMSC by Mr. Justus Kyabahwa.
The press briefing was attended by UMSC officials, including Hon. Hadji Abbas Sekyanzi Muluubya, the UMSC Secretary General; Hon. Counsel Haj Muhammad Ali Aluma, the Deputy Secretary-General in charge of Finance and Administration; and Hon. Haj Dr. Edris Sserugo Kasenene, Member of the General Assembly and former Secretary General.