The Mufti of Uganda, Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje, has reaffirmed his commitment to serving the Muslim community, dismissing criticism surrounding his leadership and re-election.
Mubaje’s recent re-election as Mufti has sparked controversy, with factions within the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) questioning the legitimacy of the process.
While the previous UMSC constitution set a 70-year age limit for the office, the Supreme Council’s College of Eminent Sheikhs (Majilis Ulama) granted him another five-year term under the new constitution.
Although the UMSC insists the updated constitution allows him to continue, some dissenters argue that the election lacked transparency and inclusivity.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the Waleed Asharad Lecture Room Block at the Islamic University Call College, located at the UMSC headquarters in Old Kampala, Mubaje reiterated his focus on leadership and service.
“We have a lot of work to do for the Ummah, and we cannot afford distractions. I call upon all Ugandans to support this university because it serves the entire nation, not just Muslims,” Mufti Mubaje stated.
He praised Allah for this milestone, especially during the holy month of Ramadhan, and commended Insan Charity for fulfilling its pledge to support the institution. He also underscored the importance of quality construction.
“This is the second lecture room block for the university. I urge the contractors to ensure high-quality work no shoddy construction. They should also inspect existing buildings to assess their strength,” Mubaje added.
Dr. Idris Abdallah Sserwadda, the university’s Vice Chancellor, expressed gratitude to Sheikh Waleed Asharad for his generous support.
“This construction is a testament to the strong partnership between UMSC and Insan Charity. Last year, the Mufti led a delegation to Kuwait to engage Insan Charity, and today, we are witnessing the fruits of that engagement. We thank the Mufti for his efforts and pray to Almighty Allah to protect him,” he said.
Hadji Abbas Muluubya Ssekyanzi, UMSC Secretary General, applauded the Mufti’s dedication to education, highlighting the impact of his bursary program in providing opportunities for Muslim students.
“Once again, we are celebrating another milestone for UMSC. This achievement brings us closer to realizing your vision for education. Through this university, you provide learning opportunities for the Ummah, and through the Mufti’s bursary, many Muslims who would have otherwise missed out can now pursue their studies,” Ssekyanzi noted.
Sheikh Ali Muhammad Waiswa, the Deputy Mufti, also acknowledged the donor’s generosity and prayed for blessings upon him.