Author name: Haj Zziwa Ashiraf | UMSC Spokesperson

A selected sub-committee of eminent Islamic scholars, under the stewardship of Dr. Sheikh Ziyadi Swaleh Lubanga, Phd in Sharia, the Director of Sharia at Uganda Muslim Supreme Council-UMSC, has compiled a detailed report addressing the disputed Islamic teachings propagated by Sheikh Swaleh Mubiru. The committee was constituted by the UMSC National Management Committee under the guidance of Dr. Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje, the Mufti, following a series of exchanges and personal attacks between Sheikh Mubiru and several Muslim clerics over doctrines described as false, misleading, and divisive among Muslim believers. The committee members include Sheikh Salim Bbosa, the Deputy Director of Sharia at Uganda Muslim Supreme Council-UMSC, Sheikh Uthuman Kibuuka, Sheikh Nadawi Galimaka Kaluuma, Sheikh Imran Abdunoor Ssali, Sheikh Muhammad Murshid Luwemba, and Sheikh Ali Juma Shiwuyu. The National Management Committee, chaired by the Mufti, first held a live interaction with Sheikh Mubiru at the UMSC headquarters on October 7th, 2025. During the session, Sheikh Mubiru reaffirmed his belief in the four sources of Islamic jurisprudence—the Holy Quran, Hadith, consensus (Ijma), and analogy—recognized by all major Islamic scholars. It was resolved to hold a follow-up scholarly engagement on October 13, 2025, to examine the remaining doctrines. During the subsequent meeting, Sheikh Mubiru was given ample time to present his doctrines, which centered on his rejection of the divine messages revealed to Prophets Dawud (David) and Isa (Jesus), namely the Zabur (Psalms) and Injil (Gospels). He also rejected the Muslim salutations of peace, Assalaam Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh (Peace and God’s blessings be upon you), and the practice of raising one’s voice in personal prayers (supplications) when beseeching Almighty Allah for favors. While Sheikh Mubiru explained his beliefs referencing various Quranic verses, the committee members responded with scholarly interpretations supported by Hadith collected by classical Islamic theologians over centuries. Despite these clarifications, Sheikh Mubiru remained unconvinced and requested more time to consolidate his arguments for the next meeting. A few days later, Sheikh Mubiru wrote to the Mufti requesting the replacement of the session chair, Dr. Sheikh Ziyadi Swaleh Lubanga, alleging bias, and proposed that the Mufti chair the next session. The committee refuted these claims, stating that Sheikh Mubiru had been given sufficient time and that no bias was exhibited by the session chair. Following these events, the committee conducted research to verify Sheikh Mubiru’s formal Islamic theological training. Their findings revealed several concerns. Although Sheikh Mubiru claims to have studied at King Saud University, specializing in Aqedah (the Essence of Islamic Faith) within the Education Department, he lacks sufficient Islamic theological training. He has limited command of Arabic, including idioms, grammar, and rhetorical styles, which are essential for understanding Islamic theology. King Saud University’s Education Faculty primarily trains teachers, not Islamic theologians, meaning Sheikh Mubiru’s studies were largely secular. Two of his contemporaries corroborated this finding. The committee further observed that Sheikh Mubiru’s doctrines follow a Quran-only (Quraniyuni) ideology, a pattern historically associated with anti-Muslim groups aiming to sow discord among the faithful. They likened this to similar sectarian hypocrisies observed during the time of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Based on these findings, the committee recommended that the UMSC issue a public statement disassociating itself from the ten doctrines propagated by Sheikh Swaleh Mubiru, clarifying that they are not part of Islamic theology and mislead believers without contributing to spiritual growth or practical

His Eminence Dr. Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje, the Mufti of Uganda, on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, hosted Rev. Canon Associate Prof. Dr. Grace Lubaale, the newly elected fourth Bishop of Busoga Diocese, at his office at the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) Headquarters in Old Kampala. ‎‎Rev. Dr. Lubaale informed the Mufti that his visit was a courtesy call to formally acquaint him with his recent election to the high diocesan office and to brief him on the preparations for his forthcoming consecration scheduled for December. He will succeed Rt. Rev. Dr. Paul Samson Naimanhye, who is retiring after successfully completing his pastoral service among Christians in the Busoga region. ‎The Mufti and his guest later joined members of the National Management Committee and departmental heads in the UMSC Boardroom. Present were Their Eminences Sheikh Muhammad Waiswa, the Deputy Mufti; Dr. Sheikh Hafiz Muhammad Harunah Bukenya, the 2nd Deputy Mufti; Hon. Haji Abbas Muluubya Ssekyanzi, Secretary General; and Hon. Abdu-Razaq Arinda, Deputy Secretary General in charge of Planning and Development, among others. ‎On behalf of the UMSC, the Mufti warmly welcomed the top Christian cleric to the headquarters and expressed his profound delight at the visit. He briefed the Bishop-elect on the background, structure, and operations of the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council since its establishment in 1972. ‎‎Dr. Mubaje also highlighted the cooperation among mainstream faith groups under the Interreligious Council of Uganda (IRCU), which promotes unity and collaboration for the common good of communities across the country. ‎‎“We congratulate you upon your recent appointment to this high office,” the Mufti said. “We don’t intend to scare you, but it is a very challenging responsibility. It calls for patience, deep listening, and hard work as you execute your duties among the faithful.” ‎‎Drawing on scripture, the Mufti likened the position of a religious leader to that of a shepherd caring for his flock. “A shepherd ensures the animals are well looked after and brings back those that have gone astray. It is well known from the Holy Scriptures that many of the great prophets first served as shepherds before being commissioned to do God’s work,” he reflected. ‎The Mufti concluded by assuring the Bishop-elect of the continued cooperation and goodwill of the Muslim leadership. ‎‎In his response, Rev. Dr. Lubaale expressed profound gratitude to the Mufti and the UMSC for the warm reception and extended an invitation to the UMSC leadership to attend his consecration ceremony in December. ‎Also in attendance was Hon. Sheikh Kassimu Kamugisha, a member of the UMSC Executive Committee and MAC representative. ‎Haj Zziwa Ashiraf ‎UMSC Spokesperson.

The Chief Magistrate’s Court at the Law Development Centre has dismissed a case filed by Advocate Rashid Kamulegeya and 19 others against the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC), ruling that the Council is a private entity not subject to the Access to Information Act. In a ruling delivered by His Worship Timothy Lumunye, the court found that “UMSC holds no statutory powers; it is not a ministry, parastatal, or statutory corporation.” He added that “UMSC’s private nature shields its internal mechanisms from public law mandates, preserving religious autonomy under Article 21(1) of the Constitution.” The application—filed as Miscellaneous Application No. 0045 of 2025, arising from Miscellaneous Cause No. 006 of 2025—sought to compel UMSC to disclose information regarding its governance, finances, and constitutional amendments. Among the applicants was Sheikh Musa Muyinda, the former UMSC General Assembly representative for Lubaga Muslim District, who was ejected from the Council over indiscipline. The affidavit in support of the application was deposed by Muyinda, who argued that their inclusion in the case would prevent a multiplicity of suits since they were pursuing similar demands for information and accountability within UMSC. Kamulegeya, popularly known as Kam UG, filed the original case in early 2025 seeking access to what he described as “key documents and details for financial and governance accountability,” including UMSC’s regulations, budgets, and records of the 2022 constitutional amendments. The lawyer argued that the information was necessary “to track UMSC’s adherence to its rules and protect members’ rights as primary stakeholders.” However, the UMSC, through an affidavit by its Deputy Secretary for Finance and Administration, Haji Muhammad Ali Aluma, opposed the application, arguing it was “fatally defective and premature” since the applicants had not exhausted internal remedies provided under the UMSC Constitution. Citing Section 5(1) of the Access to Information Act, the court observed that the law applies only to “the State or any public body.” Lumunye noted, “This definition is exhaustive, targeting entities wielding state-derived authority.” He further ruled that UMSC does not meet that description: “UMSC, founded in 1972 as a voluntary association for Muslim unity, is incorporated under the Trustees Incorporation Act and functions as an unlimited company without share capital and not for profit.” In reinforcing this position, the magistrate referred to earlier decisions, including Nsimbe Swaibu v UMSC (2025), where the High Court held that “UMSC is a private religious entity… Its governance, including Mufti elections, is ecclesiastical and internal. Judicial review under Order 53 does not extend to private voluntary associations.” His Worship Lumunye concluded that the entire application was misconceived. “No authority extends the Act to religious bodies like UMSC; to do so would undermine its autonomy,” he stated. The magistrate consequently struck out both the main and supplementary applications. “I find that the applicants have failed to establish a case for the grant of the leave sought. Consequently, I have no alternative but to dismiss Miscellaneous Application No. 0045 of 2025 and to strike out Miscellaneous Cause No. 006 of 2025., rendering the case as being bogus. Each party shall bear its own costs.” Haj Zziwa Ashiraf UMSC Spokesperson

The Senior Presidential Advisor in charge of Political Mobilization and Chief Agent for the NRM Presidential Flagbearer 2026–2031, Mr. Moses Byaruhanga, has reaffirmed government’s commitment to financially empower Muslim clerics, especially mosque Imams and Sheikhs, as part of efforts to combat poverty and improve their livelihoods. ‎ ‎“On top of the PDM, H.E the President is going to inject funds in SACCOs for religious leaders of both Islam and Christianity so that they fight poverty. The Muslims here have already organized themselves from the smallest unit up to the headquarters. We are going to fund them like we have been doing to other SACCOs,” he said. ‎Mr. Byaruhanga made the remarks while addressing the leadership of the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC), including officials from the Office of the Mufti, his Regional Assistants, and District Kadhis from across the country. They had gathered for the quarterly meeting held at the UMSC headquarters, Old Kampala, on Wednesday, October 29, 2025. ‎He explained that President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s government is inclusive of all citizens and that every empowerment program benefits Ugandans irrespective of their religious or other affiliations. “It is good you have started opening up the SACCOs, and the President is going to inject funds into them,” he remarked amid chants of “Allahu Akbar” from participants. ‎Mr. Byaruhanga further explained that President Museveni is aware that Sheikhs and Imams, among other religious leaders, are not on any payrolls. “That’s why he opted to support you through SACCOs, whereby you can get some money and start up a business,” he said. He added that beyond SACCOs, Muslim leaders can also access interest-free loans from the Microfinance Support Centre (MSC), which operates an Islamic banking window. “We shall also talk about loans from UDB to see whether you can get them free of interest,” he assured. ‎He concluded by thanking the Mufti and the entire UMSC for successfully implementing the Presidential Haj Offer, which was widely distributed among beneficiaries nationwide. ‎‎On his part, His Eminence Dr. Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje, the Mufti of Uganda, revealed that the newly amended UMSC Constitution (2022) has assigned the Muslim community new roles and responsibilities to help uplift and develop the Ummah. “With this new constitution, we are becoming more organized than ever before,” Mufti Mubaje remarked. ‎ ‎He reminded District Kadhis of their crucial role at the grassroots and urged them to adopt new strategies for mobilizing the faithful. “You can also use social media to mobilize our people. We should embrace modernity as the UMSC,” he advised. Mufti Mubaje further urged Muslim leaders to register all Muslim assets across the country. “We must have those registers. We should know our property—schools, mosques, land, and others. Some unscrupulous individuals are using our property to fight us. So, we are soon instituting a legal team to deal with such people who want to grab our property,” he warned. ‎He also proposed that the UMSC carry out its own census to establish the number of Muslims in the country. “We should plan to conduct our own census to know the number of Muslims in Uganda so that we can demand our share of the national cake,” he observed. ‎ ‎Additionally, Mufti Mubaje hailed President Museveni for his support towards Islam in Uganda, particularly the financial commitment to Muslim leaders’ SACCOs. “These SACCOs are meant to support our Imams and Sheikhs to get start-up capital for their own businesses and uplift their livelihoods. We shall also have SACCOs for the ten Muslim regions and for District Kadhis, County Sheikhs, and Imams. The Mufti has advised that other Muslim leaders in the UMSC structure should not be involved in the planned SACCOs,” he emphasized. ‎‎Meanwhile, Hon. Haji Abbas Muluubya Ssekyanzi presented an update on the state of UMSC affairs, highlighting key milestones, including the repossession and ongoing development of the Namugongo Muslim Martyrs Site. On internal conflicts among Muslims, Haji Muluubya said the fraternity operates under a fully functional constitution that empowers the Muslim Arbitration and Reconciliation Council (MAC) to handle internal disputes. “Before going to court, we encourage Muslims to first report their cases and disputes to the MAC. We are supposed to use our internal mechanisms to resolve our differences,” he said. ‎ ‎He also thanked the Government for its continued support towards the Islamic faith in Uganda. In attendance were UMSC National Management Committee members, including His Eminence Dr. Sheikh Hafiz Muhammad Harunah Bukenya, the 2nd Deputy Mufti, as well as State House officials Hajjat Mariam Namayanja Ssebagala and Hajjat Shabilah Nassali. ‎ ‎Haj Zziwa Ashiraf ‎UMSC Spokesperson

His Eminence Dr. Sheikh Hafiz Muhammad Bukenya, the 2nd Deputy Mufti, has urged the youth to focus on productive activities that can boost their earnings, such as agrobusiness, instead of wasting their youthful energy on leisure activities in public areas, particularly trading centres. The 2nd Deputy Mufti shared this fatherly advice while the media caught up with him over the weekend, during an inspection of his pineapple garden in Kayunga. “I always pity some youths I pass by, especially in trading centres, playing games such as pool in the morning hours instead of tilling idle plots of land for agro-production, which could fetch them earnings,” he said. He added that, in most cases, such youths end up engaging in vices like thuggery, prostitution, and other bad behaviors that negatively impact their lives. Haj Zziwa Ashiraf UMSC Spokesperson.

The Interreligious Council of Uganda (IRCU) has joined hundreds of global leaders in mourning the passing of Kenya’s former Prime Minister, the late Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga. ‎His Eminence Sheikh Muhammad Ali Waiswa, the Deputy Mufti, on behalf of His Eminence Dr. Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje, the Mufti of Uganda and Co-Chair/President of IRCU; Pastor Dr. Joseph Sserwadda, the Presiding Apostle of the Born Again Evangelical Churches and Co-Chair/President of IRCU; and Hon. Joshua Kitakule, the Secretary General of IRCU joined other mourners across the East African region on Saturday morning to pay tribute to the fallen gallant son of Africa. ‎The trio represented the Council of Presidents of the Interreligious Council of Uganda at a brief ceremony to sign the condolence book at the Kenyan High Commission Offices in Uganda’s Kampala. ‎They were received by H.E. Deputy Ambassador Dr. Suleiman Roba. In their brief remarks, they paid tribute to the late Raila Odinga, describing him as a staunch Pan-Africanist who has left an indelible mark on Kenyan politics. ‎Zziwa Ashiraf ‎UMSC Spokesperson

The Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) Joint Session has approved the creation of 17 new Muslim districts across the country to strengthen administration and service delivery within the Muslim community. The resolutions — passed on Thursday, October 16, 2025— stipulate phased implementation and a one-year probationary performance evaluation; districts that fail to meet set standards will lose their status. ‎Key decisions and issues ‎Creation of 17 new Muslim districts, to be implemented in phases and monitored through a one-year probationary performance review. ‎Unveiling of the Muslim Arbitration and Reconciliation Council (MAC) members, who will handle arbitration and reconciliation matters as provided for in the UMSC constitution. ‎Presentation of the NEC’s mid-year performance review and forward-looking strategy by the Secretary General, and a Majlis Al Ulama endorsement of OIC recommendations to annually commemorate the birth of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) as part of preserving Islamic heritage. ‎New Muslim districts by category ‎Category One – West Nile Region (high Muslim population): ‎Obongi Muslim District (carved out of Moyo); Terego and Madi-Okolo Muslim Districts (from the old Arua Muslim District); Zombo Muslim District (from Nebbi). ‎Category One (b) – To be operationalized after stakeholder consultations: ‎Bombo Muslim District (from Luwero); Midigo and Dacha Muslim Districts (from Yumbe); Maracha Muslim District (from Arua). ‎Category Two – Awaiting stakeholder engagements: ‎Agago/Pader (from Acholi); Kidepo (from Kotido); Serere (from Teso); Butebo (from Pallisa); Kikuube (from Bunyoro). ‎Category Three – Requests from regional representatives: ‎Kityerera (from Mayuge); Nankoma (from Namayingo); Kaberamaido (from Teso); Amolatar/Dokolo and Otuke/Alebtong (from Lango); Kyotera (from Rakai, West Buganda). ‎Secretary General’s presentation ‎During the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, Hon. Haji Abbas Muluubya Ssekyanzi, the Secretary General, presented a 19-page comprehensive report that highlighted the UMSC Activity Calendar, a mid-year performance review, and a forward-looking strategy for the Council. The report’s recommendations formed part of the submissions taken up by the Joint Session. ‎Majlis Al Ulama deliberations ‎The Majlis Al Ulama, chaired by His Eminence Dr. Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje (Mufti of Uganda), received communication from the Mufti and a progressive report from the Department of Religious Affairs. A notable item was a concept paper on a recent Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) resolution urging member states to hold annual commemorations of the Prophet’s birth to preserve Islamic heritage. The Majlis scholars unanimously endorsed the recommendations. ‎Joint Session constitution and approvals ‎Members from both committees later constituted the Joint Session chaired by Prof. Dr. Muhammadi Lubega Kisambira. Several recommendations from both committees were read and approved, including the district creations noted above and the formal unveiling of MAC members. ‎Muslim Arbitration & Reconciliation Council (MAC) — unveiled ‎The MAC members appointed last year were officially presented to the public, marking the Council’s readiness to handle disputes and reconciliation as provided for in the UMSC constitution. ‎MAC membership: ‎Chairman: Dr. Adam Rajab Makmot Kibwanga— LL.B (Makerere), PGD (LDC), M.A. (Uganda Christian University), PGD Management (Gulu University), M.A. Peace & Conflict Resolution (University of Innsbruck, Austria), PhD in Law (Bradford University, UK); Senior Lecturer/Deputy Head of Subject (LDC); Advocate; former Human Rights Officer (UHRC). ‎Counsel Bunyasin Ibrahim — Secretary/Registrar. ‎Sheikh Abubakar Musoke, Sheikh Shafie Songolo, Sheikh Kassim Kamugisha, and Elder Counsel Zinsaze Ismail (retired Chief Magistrate). ‎Other appointments and attendees ‎Sheikh Eden Tabu Uthuman was sworn in as the new representative of the Northern Muslim Region on the Majlis Al Ulama. He holds a B.A. in Islamic Studies (IUIU), an M.A. in Public Administration & Management (Gulu University), and is a final-year Sharia student at the Islamic Call University. ‎The session was attended by His Eminence Sheikh Muhammad Ali Waiswa (Deputy Mufti); Hon. Counsel Haji Muhammad Ali Aluma (Deputy Secretary General in charge of Finance & Administration); Hon. Abdu-Razaq Arinda (Deputy Secretary in charge of Planning & Development); and Hon. Haji Juma Ali Ngobi (Secretary for Finance & Planning). ‎Haj Zziwa Ashiraf ‎UMSC Spokesperson ‎