The Mufti of Uganda, Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje, led Muslims in the last congregational Juma prayers of the holy month of Ramadan at the Idi Amin Dada Memorial Mosque in Lira City, where he also intervened in a long-standing leadership dispute within the Lango Muslim District.
The visit had been scheduled to enable the Mufti to assess the root causes of the prolonged disagreements that have divided Muslim leaders in the region.
As Mubaje entered the mosque premises, a group of women and youth staged a peaceful protest, holding placards demanding an audit of funds collected within the district and the reinstatement of some leaders.
The demonstrators said the move was intended to draw attention to internal disagreements affecting the administration of the local Muslim leadership.
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Despite the brief protest, calm was later restored as hundreds of faithful gathered for the congregational prayers and listened to a sermon delivered by the Education Secretary of the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council, Juma Bakhit Cucu.
Quoting verses from the Holy Qur'an and sayings of Muhammad, Sheikh Cucu emphasised the importance of unity, righteousness and positive legacy within the Muslim community.
"Whoever strives to do good deeds, your legacy will never fade away long after departing earthly life. But those who live ungodly lives, their names will be forgotten after their death," he preached.
He noted that every society inevitably faces challenges, but sustainable solutions can only be found when communities acknowledge and clearly identify the root causes of their problems.
After the prayers, Mubaje urged Muslims to intensify acts of worship during the remaining days of Ramadan and called for renewed unity and brotherhood within the community.
He also reminded the faithful about the importance of peace and stability in northern Uganda, a region that endured years of insurgency and conflict.
"Let us maintain peace and stability in our communities, remembering the painful history of insurgency that once affected Northern Uganda," he said.
Addressing the leadership disputes in Lango, the Mufti informed the congregation that recent amendments to the constitution of the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council had introduced a new mechanism to handle internal disagreements.
He said the newly established Muslim Arbitration and Reconciliation Council (MAC) would serve as a formal platform for resolving conflicts within the Muslim community across the country.
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Mubaje further directed the Northern Regional Assistant to compile a comprehensive report on all UMSC properties in the region, particularly land and educational institutions, as part of broader efforts to strengthen transparency and accountability in the management of Muslim assets.
Following the prayers, the Mufti and his delegation inspected prime mosque land located in the centre of Lira City.
During the inspection, it was discovered that part of the land had allegedly been encroached upon, while another section was reportedly being illegally rented out by unknown individuals for commercial activities including vehicle washing, market vending and the operation of small kiosks.
Officials accompanying the Mufti said the inspection was intended to help the Muslim leadership establish the true status of the property and determine appropriate measures to safeguard it.
The prayers attracted hundreds of faithful and senior officials from the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council.
Those present included Secretary General Abbas Muluubya Ssekyanzi, Deputy Secretary General for Finance and Administration Muhammad Ali Aluma, Deputy Secretary General for Planning and Development Arinda Abdu-Razaq, and the Mufti's Special Envoy to South Sudan, Twaha Uthuman.
The gathering marked one of the major Ramadan events in the region and highlighted the continued role of the national Muslim leadership in mediating disputes, strengthening institutions and promoting unity within Uganda's Muslim community.
