The battle over Sheikh Shaban Ramathan Mubaje’s controversial re-election as Mufti of Uganda has hit a roadblock.
The High Court in Kampala has ruled that the case cannot proceed until all 45 respondents, including Mubaje and his deputies, are properly served.
On Monday, Justice Emmanuel Baguma threw out the petitioners’ plea, citing improper service. He gave them until April 16, 2025, to serve all parties before the next hearing on April 28.
A group of Sunni Muslims led by Swaibu Nsimbe, Twayibu Byansi, Musa Kalokora, and Musa Kasakya argue that Mubaje, who turned 70 on March 12, is too old to serve another term.They claim the old UMSC Constitution capped the Mufti’s retirement age at 70 and accuse him of mismanaging Muslim property.
However, the UMSC isn’t backing down. Their lawyers, led by Musa Kabega, insist this is an internal religious affair, not a legal matter. They argue that a 2022 constitutional amendment raised the retirement age to 75, allowing Mubaje to stay in power.
Will Mubaje survive this legal storm, or will the petitioners force him out?
