The Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) has directed all Muslim-founded schools across the country to obtain prior approval before processing land titles, in a move aimed at protecting the ownership, identity and heritage of institutions established by the Muslim community.
The directive is contained in Circular No. 8 of 2026 dated August 5, 2026, signed by UMSC Secretary for Education and Sports, Sheikh Juma Bakhit Cucu. The circular was addressed to District Kadhis, Regional Assistants to the Mufti (RAMs), School Management Committees and Boards of Governors.
According to the circular, UMSC has raised concern over cases where some Muslim-founded schools are processing land titles through local governments without adequately addressing ownership and the identity of the founding body.
"The Council has observed with concern that some Muslim-founded schools are facilitating the processing of land titles through local governments without adequately addressing the issue of ownership and the identity of the founding body," Sheikh Cucu stated.
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He warned that such practices could pose a threat to the long-term ownership and Muslim identity of the affected institutions.
UMSC noted that unclear ownership documentation has previously contributed to the loss of Muslim identity in some schools, citing Arua Public Secondary School and Soroti Secondary School as examples.
While reaffirming support for the government policy requiring all schools to have registered land titles, the Council emphasized that land titles for Muslim-founded schools must clearly indicate both the registered name of the school and the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council as the foundation body.
"This arrangement preserves the school's legal identity while safeguarding the proprietary interests of the foundation body," the circular reads.
The Council further directed that no Muslim-founded school should process or acquire a land title without the prior knowledge and written approval of the respective Regional Assistant to the Mufti and the UMSC Headquarters.
It instructed school authorities to submit all proposed land registration processes to UMSC Headquarters through the respective RAMs for review, guidance and approval before any transactions are undertaken.
The circular also requires District Kadhis and Regional Assistants to the Mufti to identify and report schools that have already obtained land titles without indicating UMSC as the foundation body.
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Such cases will be submitted to the Secretary for Education at UMSC Headquarters for further action.
UMSC appealed to Muslim leaders, school administrators and governing bodies to work together in protecting the ownership, identity and heritage of Muslim-founded schools across Uganda.
"Your cooperation is essential in protecting these institutions for future generations," the Council said.
