The Mufti of Uganda, Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje, has mandated a major administrative overhaul in Butaleja Muslim District, following concerns over internal leadership and governance.
The directive came during an official visit on Sunday, October 27, 2024, at the Town Hall in Butaleja, urging immediate reorganisation to strengthen Islamic management in the region.
In a letter to Mr. Musa Hamya Mugoya Hamya,chairperson of Butaleja Muslim District,Mubaje instructed that a council meeting be convened within seven working days to establish the district's key administrative organs, in accordance with the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) constitution.
The council is expected to elect five members to the Council of Sheikhs, with each holding at least a Thanawi qualification, equivalent to an advanced certificate in Islamic theological studies.
Additionally, a district secretary will be selected, and three candidates for District Kadhi will be nominated for the Mubaje’s consideration to fill the position permanently.
During the meeting, Mr. Mugoya presented a detailed report outlining several challenges, including allegations of incompetence against the current District Kadhi, Sheikh Swaib Mukama Kiyemba.
Among the issues highlighted were Sheikh Swaib's refusal to hold mandatory meetings since his appointment in 2022, mismanagement of public funds, and strained relationships with other officials.
Sheikh Kiyemba, who holds a caretaker role, was found not to meet the required qualifications for a permanent appointment as District Kadhi, adding to the urgency for reform.
Mubaje’s visit was accompanied by a high-level delegation that included Hadji Abbas Muluubya Ssekyanzi, UMSC Secretary General, and Muhammad Ali Aluma. Local government leaders, security personnel, opinion leaders, and elders were also in attendance.
The session saw participation from key Muslim figures, including county sheikhs, UMSC General Assembly representatives, and Sheikh Abubakar Omar Obilan, the Regional Assistant to the Mufti for North Eastern Uganda.
During the two-hour deliberations, Abubakar Were Wandanghor, the UMSC Electoral Commission Chairperson, read out formal petitions against Sheikh Kiyemba.
Petitioners outlined administrative gaps and organisational failures, emphasising the need for a structured leadership to guide the district.
In response, the Mufti announced that UMSC headquarters would allocate funds to facilitate the nomination process for qualified candidates, setting a deadline of November 6, 2024, for the completion of the exercise.
In his address, Muluubya shared that the Mufti's office had received several complaints regarding the leadership of Butaleja Muslim District over the past year.
The investigation findings confirmed the need for an administrative shake-up.
To assist the district in its reorganisation, the UMSC will provide the financial resources required to support the nomination and selection of qualified candidates for key leadership roles.
Before concluding his visit, Mufti Mubaje spoke to a large gathering of Muslim faithful outside the town hall, assuring them that the internal conflicts would be resolved swiftly.
He appealed for patience and unity among the Muslim community, emphasising that a well-structured leadership is crucial for the development of Islamic activities in Butaleja.
The reorganisation process is expected to set the stage for stable and effective leadership within the district, aiming to restore confidence among the local Muslim population and ensure compliance with the UMSC's governance standards.
