Chaos erupted at Wandegeya on Tuesday morning as a group of angry Muslim faithful marching to Parliament were stopped in their tracks by police.
The over 50-strong group, composed of Muslims from different sects, had converged to demand the immediate retirement of the Mufti of Uganda, Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubajje, whom they accuse of clinging to office illegally despite hitting the mandatory retirement age of 70 years on March 12, 2025.
As the demonstrators advanced towards Wandegeya, with banners, chanting “Mubajje Must Go”, they were met by a heavy police presence at Wandegeya traffic lights, led by Wandegeya Division Police Commander (DPC) Hassan Atuhingire.
The standoff quickly escalated as the protestors demanded passage, while police insisted they needed clearance before proceeding. Tensions flared, voices were raised, and placards were waved, but after a brief negotiation at the Wandegeya police station, police allowed only seven representatives to proceed to Parliament with their petition, while the rest were dispersed.
According to the petitioners, Sheikh Mubajje’s term ended on March 12, 2025, after serving as Mufti for 24 years. However, on March 13, 2025, the Joint Session of the Majlis Ulaama and the Executive Committee controversially selected him again, something the protesters argue violated the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) Constitution.
The old 1972 UMSC Constitution (Article 5.7) states that a Mufti must retire at 70 years.
The 2022 Amended UMSC Constitution allows a Mufti to serve for only one 10-year term, meaning Mubajje is ineligible.
Article 29 (12) of the 2022 Constitution ensures no official elected under the old laws can automatically extend their term.
The petitioners allege that the selection process was a sham, held behind closed doors, with no chance for other Sunni Muslim leaders to contest.
“We all know that Mubajje’s time was up on March 12, but instead of stepping down, a group of people handpicked him again! This is unacceptable,” one protestor shouted.
Beyond constitutional violations, the protesters warn that Mubajje’s continued stay could lead to dire consequences for Uganda’s Muslim community.
According to the petitioners, Muslim donors from the Arab world, including the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), the Arab League, and Muslim nations like Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Turkey, have warned they will cut funding to Uganda’s Muslim institutions unless proper leadership reforms are enacted.
“We have already received reports that some donors are reconsidering their support,” the protesters stated.
If this happens, it could severely affect thousands of vulnerable Muslims who rely on funding from these organizations for education, healthcare, and humanitarian aid.
The protesters have laid out clear demands in their petition to Speaker Rt. Hon. Anita Among, including:
Mubajje must retire immediately! His term ended, and he must respect the UMSC Constitution .A new Mufti must be elected in a fair and transparent process.
The 1st Deputy Mufti should take over for 60 days while elections are properly organized.
Parliament must intervene to ensure Muslim leadership is not hijacked by a small clique.
The protesters have vowed to mobilize an even bigger crowd if their concerns are ignored.
“If Parliament does not act, we shall march en masse to Old Kampala and camp at the UMSC headquarters until Mubajje steps down,” they warned.
