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UMSC Re-elects Sheikh Dr. Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje as Mufti of Uganda

13 March, 2025
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The Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) has re-elected Sheikh Dr. Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje as the Mufti of Uganda after the expiration of his previous tenure upon reaching the constitutional age limit of 70.


The decision was made by the Majlis Al-Ulama (College of Sheikhs) and later approved unanimously by the Joint Session of the UMSC. 

Sheikh Mubaje, who turned 70 on March 12, 2025, was initially elected under the UMSC constitution as amended in 1987, which stipulated that a Mufti remains in office until reaching that age. The current UMSC constitution, amended in 2022, contains transitional provisions under Article 29(12) that required those in office at the time of enactment to complete their tenure without automatic extension. 

According to Prof. Dr. Muhammadi Lubega Kisambira, the National Chairperson of UMSC, the Secretary General notified the National Chairman of the approaching end of tenure for the Mufti of Uganda on 6 January 2025.

As such, the National Chairman, upon resolution of the National Executive Committee, notified the Director of Sharia, who is mandated to chair the meeting of Majlis Al-Ulama (College of Sheikhs) that is specifically convened to elect a Mufti or Deputy Mufti as per Article 7 (1).  

He further explained that in their report to the Joint Session, Majlis Al-Ulama informed that with the help of the UMSC lawyer, Dr. Makmot Adam Kibwanga, they found no constitutional contradiction to consider Dr. Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje. Kisambira emphasized that this was not an automatic extension but a fresh mandate under the 2022 constitution. 

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