Ramathan Mugalu has been ousted from his position as Secretary General of the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) in the midst of a power struggle over allegations of mismanagement of Muslim property. Muhammad Ali Aluma has been appointed as the Acting Secretary General for the next three months starting from April 5, 2023. The UMSC Joint Session Committee, which is the second most senior organ of the council, appointed Aluma during a meeting chaired by Prof. Dr. Muhammad Lubega at UMSC headquarters in Old Kampala. Aluma, a lawyer, had previously worked with the UMSC education department.
According to a source, Mugalu had attempted to block the joint session meeting but was unsuccessful, and the meeting proceeded as planned. Ten newly appointed regional representatives were also sworn in at the meeting, as well as 21 members of the Muslim Arbitration & Conciliation Committee under Sheikh Abdu Obeid Kamulegeya and Sheikh Luutu Sulaiman Wandera. The committee is made up of former Muslim leaders and includes Sheikh Hussein Rajab Kakooza among other prominent elderly Sheikhs.
Mugalu’s removal was based on the findings of a five-member team appointed by the Joint Session Committee during their last sitting on April 1, 2023. The team, chaired by Counsel Musa Kabega, had been tasked with investigating the validity of Mugalu’s contract as the former UMSC Secretary. In a nine-page report, the team revealed that Mugalu’s tenure had long expired following his appointment by a similar organ on January 21, 2015, in line with the UMSC Constitution. Dr. Adam Rajab Makmot Kibwanga presented the report to the members, who subsequently deliberated the findings and resolved to appoint an acting Secretary General.
During the election of the Acting Secretary General, Muhamood Kateregga and Muhammad Ali Aluma were presented as candidates, and Aluma emerged victorious. Were Abubaker Wadangho, the UMSC Electoral Commission Chairperson, nominated and swore him in for the position. In his speech, the Mufti of Uganda Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje expressed his delight that the newly amended UMSC Constitution was being implemented, as it aims to cure administrative issues that have affected the council’s well-being. Sheikh Kamulegeya encouraged Muslims to use his committee to settle their disputes, while Mr. Mugaino pledged to offer all the necessary expertise in the management of Muslim properties.
Mugalu has been embroiled in a similar fight before, having been removed from his position last year over allegations of abuse of office. However, the Joint Session of the same body reinstated him with the help of Mufti Shaban Mubaje. Mugalu is accused of forgery, indiscipline, and mishandling the registration of Muslim properties in Uganda, where most of these properties are allegedly registered in his name instead of UMSC. He is also accused of bribery and forging signatures to engage in various corrupt activities, which has tainted the image of the institution and the entire Muslim community.
Before his removal from the position of UMSC Secretary General, Mugalu had appeared in the High Court in Masaka in a case where the UMSC was accused of irregularly selling off land belonging to Muslims in Sembabule district. Mugalu was in charge of these properties and is accused of failing to account for them. According to the UMSC Constitution, the Secretary General is the accounting officer responsible for everything related to finances concerning Muslims at the institution.
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