National Management Committee Conducts Field Inspection
The Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) National Management Committee spent several hours on a guided tour of the UMSC Ranch Farm in Migyera, Nakasongola Muslim District, as part of its weekly Tuesday meeting held on June 23rd, 2026.
The exercise saw members walk through nearly one square mile of the expansive ranch, inspecting different sections of the land, including areas affected by encroachment and overgrown vegetation. The team also had to clear thick thorny shrubs as they moved across the property while assessing its condition.
During the tour, the delegation interacted with occupants on the land, including Muhammad Sulaiman from Butambala, who acknowledged awareness that the land belongs to UMSC but said he did not know its leadership or headquarters. He explained that this was the reason he settled without seeking formal permission for the section where his family resides and cultivates crops.
The team also encountered other groups of squatters reportedly occupying portions of the ranch, estimated at over 30 acres, with concerns raised over alleged external support enabling continued encroachment despite ownership claims by UMSC.
A large eucalyptus plantation established by the East Buganda Muslim Regional Administration was also inspected as part of efforts to safeguard the land from further encroachment.
The field inspection formed part of a broader meeting held at the ranch, located about 150 miles along the Kampala–Gulu Highway, marking the second time the UMSC National Management Committee has held its weekly meeting outside the National Headquarters in Old Kampala. The first such meeting was previously held at the Namugongo Martyrs Mosque site.
The meeting was chaired by His Eminence Dr. Sheikh Hafiz Muhammad Harunah Bukenya, the 2nd Deputy Mufti, who represented His Eminence Dr. Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje, the Mufti of Uganda, who was attending an international conference in Mombasa, Kenya. His Eminence Sheikh Muhammad Ali Waiswa was also away attending the Interreligious Council of Uganda (IRCU) Presidents’ Meeting in Kampala.
Upon arrival in the mid-morning, the delegation comprising departmental heads and H.E. Sheikh Twaha Uthuman Musa Kajaaya, the Mufti’s Envoy to the Republic of South Sudan and special guest, was received by local Muslim leaders.
The team included Sheikh Musitafa Khamis Lule, the East Buganda Regional Assistant to the Mufti; Sheikh Habib Kikabi, the Nakasongola Muslim District Kadhi; John Kasozi, Chairperson of Kyabachwezi Village where the ranch is located; and the ranch management team led by Mr. Musinguzi Johnson and Cranimer Kakuru.
In his opening remarks, Hon. Hadji Abbas Muluubya Ssekyanzi, the UMSC Secretary General, said the decision to hold meetings at UMSC properties was intended to help members better understand and appreciate the council’s assets across the country.
He noted that such field-based meetings also allow members to refresh their minds and improve focus away from routine office interruptions. Also Hon. Counsel Muhammad Ali Aluma, Deputy Secretary General incharge of Finance:& Administration and Hon. Abdu- Razaq Arinda, Deputy Secretary General in charge of Planning & Development, addressed members on matters concerning development
After introductions, the management team received briefings from Mr. Musinguzi Johnson on behalf of the ranch staff, as well as Sheikh Musitafa Lule and Sheikh Habib Kikabi, who updated members on the state of Islamic activities in the region and district.
The team later held a closed-door session with ranch managers, during which discussions and resolutions were formally recorded for follow-up action. Members commended the ranch management for visible improvements made at the farm since their appointment six years ago.
The meeting concluded with a luncheon that included a bull roasting and refreshments before the delegation departed for Kampala.