KAMPALA – The Uganda Muslim Supreme Council – UMSC headquarters at Old Kampala turned into a venue of drama on Saturday, as the General Assembly converged to elect national leaders.
The 250-member General Assembly, comprising delegates representing 77 Muslim districts under 10 Muslim regions, in addition to ten Mufti’s special nominees congregated to participate in an exercise, which Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje presided over as chair, under tight security.
At the peak of the election that went on till 9:00pm was the position of national chairman – the person responsible for presiding over the General Assembly – the highest decision-making organ of the UMSC, as well as supervising the national executive committee that oversee every business of this religious body.
Delegates from Mityana and Mubende were barred from the exercise because the UMSC’s independent electoral commission had nullified the two area’s voting results due to different reasons.
As the Chairperson of the UMSC Electoral Commission – Omar Muhammad Wesswa prepared to charge in presiding over the Saturday exercise, the Mufti notified him how his mandate had expired.
And soon it was Mufti Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje, in the stirring seat, taking over from UMSC Independent Electoral Commission deputy Chairperson – Abubakar W
ere Wadangho, who had introduced the newly elected members, before his boss – Wasswa supervised the group swearing-in exercise, in tension-filled the hall.
The Mufti cited flaws in the nomination of candidates for the position of Chairperson and his deputy, leading to a heated debate amongst different delegates as many concluded that the Commission was independent of the UMSC as per the amended Constitution under Article 3 (1, 2(f).
The (overthrown) UMSC electoral boss – Wesswa also emphasised the independence and neutrality of the commission. He however noted that the commission had earlier identified a lacuna in the Constitution that calls for special Guidelines and for purposely conducting elections that will be ratified by the Joint Session comprising the college of Sheikhs and Executive committee, instating that the EC had carried out its duties within the set principles.
As tension and chaotic scenes continued, the Mufti became hostile towards journalists, ordering their departure out of the conference room and none of the opposing voices was successful in convincing him to spare the scribes.
“The EC drew the attention of the council advocates about the lacuna but still no positive response was received,” he reasoned, asking the House to proceed with the agenda as planned but the Chair declined, ordering for fresh nominations of candidates.
Soon, four candidates – including Prof Muhammad Lubega Kisambira, Haj Hassan Basajjabalaba, Haj Twaha Gwaivu and Sheikh Kassim Kamugisha were proposed for the position of UMSC Chairperson.
The Mufti as the Chair – weighed in, again citing Article 4 (2) – which practically threw out Basajjabalaba – owing to the fact he had, about a decade ago, vacated the same office through an impeachment.
Basajjabalaba’s efforts to whitewash history were unsuccessful as the Mufti – who seemed more than prepared, offering facts how the businessman had disgracefully left Old Kampala.
Soon after Basajjabalaba had been ruled out of the race, voting under the supervision of Wadangho – the UMSC EC deputy Chairperson, began with Prof Muhammad Lubega Kisambira emerging winner.
He polled 119 votes, three more than his closest rival and Nakawa deputy RCC, Sheikh Kassim Kamugisha as Haj Gwaivu managed 12 votes.
Haj Muzamir Abon from the West Nile region emerged as the winner of the position of deputy vice chairperson after beating four other candidates – including Prof Dr Edris Sserugo Kasenene – the former UMSC Secretary General; Haj Ismail Kyooma Baguma from Ankole-Kigezi region, Yunus Mugabe from Bunyoro Toro, and Dr Haroon Sinan Ganatusanga from East Buganda Muslim Region.
A section of analysts however criticised the Saturday exercise – as some saying the Old Kampala group – representing the East after Sheikh Mubajje, his deputy – Sheikh Muhammad Ali Waiswa, and now Prof Lubega occupying the topmost offices.
