Summary:
- The Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) property, including the Gaddafi National Mosque, initially facing auction due to a debt of sh18 billion, has been excluded from sale, following complications in a land transaction with businessman Justus Kyabahwa, while other properties remain earmarked for auction if the debt is unpaid.
The Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) property situated atop Old Kampala Hill, which includes the Gaddafi National Mosque, faced potential auctioning due to a debt surpassing sh18 billion owed to businessman Justus Kyabahwa. However, this property, identified as Lease Hold Register Volume 2771 Folio 2, Old Kampala Plot 23-25, has now been excluded from the list of assets slated for sale.
Louiza Auctioneers and Court Bailiffs communicated in a document addressed to the Deputy Registrar of the High Court Commercial Division that the property is contentious and burdened by a caveat. The letter stated that the property, subject to a caveat, ceases to be part of the assets under attachment and execution and will not be auctioned.
Potential bidders who expressed interest in acquiring the property were informed that it is no longer available for sale, and they were invited to retract any submitted bids. The property encompasses significant structures, including the National Muslim Mosque and the Muslim community headquarters, along with other assets on Old Kampala Hill.
The crisis originated from a land transaction between UMSC and Justus Kyabahwa, leading to complications. Despite UMSC selling a two-square-mile tract of land to Kyabahwa for 3.584 billion Shillings, intending to transfer ownership within 150 days, complications arose due to an existing 15-year lease on the land. This led to the failure to transfer ownership or refund the money, resulting in the accumulation of the 19-billion-Shilling debt.
The controversy includes a clause for paying interest, allegedly introduced by the former Secretary-General, Hajji Ramathan Mugalu, considered contradictory to Islamic teachings. Mugalu, however, disavowed responsibility, stating that his actions were in line with UMSC directives.
To recover his funds, Kyabahwa pursued legal action, resulting in UMSC’s defeat in court and a directive to settle the 19-billion-shilling debt within 30 days. While the Old Kampala properties have been excluded from auction, eight other properties, as advertised on November 21, 2023, remain earmarked for auction if the debt remains unpaid.
The controversy has sparked discontent within the Muslim community, leading the Association of Muslim Lawyers to file a suit against the Mufti of Uganda, Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje, and Justus Kyabahwa, alleging fraudulent dealings. The lawsuit contends that the sale of land in the Ssembabule district was mired in corruption, risking the auctioning of various Muslim properties, including the UMSC headquarters at Old Kampala.
