His Eminence Dr. Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje, the Mufti of Uganda, has said Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) is firmly on the right track after years of struggling, noting that the institution is now registering tangible progress in leadership and human resource development.
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‎The Mufti made the remarks in a jovial speech delivered at a colourful graduation and thanksgiving ceremony organised by the family of Counsel Haj Muhammad Ali Aluma, the UMSC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Finance and Administration, following his successful completion of a Master of Laws degree at the Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU).
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‎Aluma graduated during the university’s 34th Graduation Ceremony held at the main campus in Mbale City. The thanksgiving also marked the family’s official entry into their newly built home at Kiggaga Zone, Kawanda, Wakiso District, on January 3, 2026.
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‎Reflecting on UMSC’s leadership journey, the Mufti said earlier leaders worked under difficult circumstances.
‎“Our elders managed to steer the activities of the council with their humble education during their time. So that is a gone era,” he said.
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‎He recalled the resistance he faced when he joined the institution as a university graduate. “When I decided to join them as a university graduate, some of the Muslim elites laughed and jeered at me, wondering how I would be working with such people with low grades,” the Mufti said.
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‎Speaking in a blend of Kiswahili, English, and Luganda, and punctuating his remarks with Qur’anic quotations in Arabic urging believers to seek knowledge, the Mufti said he remained focused despite the criticism.
‎“I knew that I had to work with the elders and that time would come when they had left with dignity,” he said.
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‎Pointing to the current state of the institution, the Mufti added, smiling,
‎“Now let those who used to laugh at us come and see,” as he highlighted UMSC’s progress in building a well-trained human resource now running its affairs.
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‎His remarks drew chants of “Allahu Akbar — God is Greatest” from the guests, who had travelled from as far as Yumbe and Arua in West Nile, Mbale, and Soroti.
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‎The Mufti urged UMSC leaders at all levels to pursue further education, saying advanced training is urgently needed to improve managerial capacity in the current era.
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‎He also briefed the gathering on recent engagements between religious leaders and government officials ahead of the 2026 general elections.
‎The Mufti said he and other leaders under the Inter-Religious Council of Uganda (IRCU) recently met President Yoweri Museveni, Electoral Commission Chairperson Justice Simon Mugenyi Byabakama, Inspector General of Police Abbas Byakagaba, and other senior officials, where they were briefed on preparations for the polls due in mid-January 2026.
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‎According to the Mufti, the leaders were assured of peaceful and fair elections and, in turn, urged Ugandans to respect electoral laws and maintain peace before, during, and after the elections.
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‎Earlier, the guest speaker and former UMSC Secretary General, Dr. Haj Edris Sserugo Kasenene, underscored the importance of education despite hardship.
‎“Man was created with animal instincts, so he can only eliminate them through acquiring knowledge, and whoever hasn’t studied remains acting like an animal,” he said, drawing laughter from the guests.
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‎Dr. Sheikh Hafiz Muhammad Harunah Bukenya welcomed the guests, while UMSC Secretary General Hajji Abbas Muluubya Ssekyanzi praised Aluma for being cooperative and hardworking. He said Aluma’s graduation was a boost to the West Nile Muslim community, coming after UMSC had also created five new Muslim districts in the region.
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‎Sheikh Erias Kigozi, the host Kadhi of Wakiso Muslim District, spoke on behalf of the Kadhis in attendance.
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‎In an emotional address, Counsel Aluma recounted his academic journey and personal struggles, including the loss of both parents. Thanking the Mufti for his support, he said,
‎“Thank you, Your Eminence, for standing by my side.”
‎He also expressed gratitude to his family for their unwavering support and love.
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‎The ceremony attracted senior UMSC officials, departmental heads, regional assistants to the Mufti, district Kadhis, prominent sheikhs, area leaders, senior officials from the Uganda Electoral Commission, and cultural leaders, including the hereditary chief of the Aringa in West Nile, Ahmad Ochama.