On March 18, 2025, Ndawula, alongside other Muslims, led a protest in Kampala and petitioned the Speaker of Parliament, challenging the extension of Sheikh Ramadhan Mubaje’s tenure as Mufti of Uganda. Ndawula argued that Mubaje, having clocked 70 years, was ineligible for an extension.
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File Photo : Ali Ndawula swearing in as the Chairman of Luwero Muslim District Council
The High Court has summoned Sheikh Ramadhan Mulindwa, the Kadhi of Luwero Muslim District, and 20 members of the Luwero District Joint Muslim Committee to defend themselves against allegations of unlawfully dismissing the former Muslim District Council Chairman, Ali Ndawula.
On March 18, 2025, Ndawula, alongside other Muslims, led a protest in Kampala and petitioned the Speaker of Parliament, challenging the extension of Sheikh Ramadhan Mubaje’s tenure as Mufti of Uganda. Ndawula argued that Mubaje, having clocked 70 years, was ineligible for an extension.
As a result, a group of Muslims in Luwero petitioned the Kadhi, accusing Ndawula of gross indiscipline and acting contrary to his position.
Sheikh Mulindwa officially summoned Ndawula to defend himself before the Luwero District Joint Muslim Committee against the accusations in line with the UMSC constitution, in vain. In response, the Luwero District Joint Muslim Committee unanimously passed a resolution on April 3, 2025, removing Ndawula from his position. They accused him of breaching the leadership code, disrespecting decisions made by the College of Sheikhs, and representing them in protests without their consent.
The meeting that resolved to remove Ndawula was attended by 26 out of 37 committee members and was chaired by Sheikh Mulindwa. Muhamadi Matovu, the then-deputy chairman, was appointed acting chairman pending further elections. However, Ndawula, through his lawyers from M/S Ssewankambo and Company Advocates, has filed a suit challenging the decision. He argues that he was denied a fair hearing and that his constitutional right to freedom of expression was violated.
Ndawula contends that the grounds for his impeachment are not provided for under the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) Constitution. He has asked the court to declare his removal unconstitutional, order his reinstatement, and award him UGX 20 million in damages. The Luwero High Court has now summoned Sheikh Mulindwa and the 20 committee members to appear before it on June 10, 2025, to respond to Ndawula’s claims or risk the case proceeding in their absence.
The summons was signed by Catherine Agwero, the Deputy Registrar of the Luwero High Court. When contacted, Mulindwa said he was yet to receive the court summons and thus could not comment on the matter. Among the summoned committee members are Muhammad Sserunjogi, Musa Senkanja, Bashir Kalanzi, Sulaiman Mabiiriizi, Jamada Kabogozza, Sheikh Abdullah Jumah Fariis, Sheikh Swaib Konde, Muhamood Katende, Ahmed Hamza Ibrahim, Bashir Hadad Tandya, Sulaiman Ssemugambe, Swaib Rajab Yiga, and El Sakiina Baguma, among others.
Both Sheikh Mulindwa and the Luwero District Joint Muslim Committee are known loyalists to Mufti Mubaje. Ndawula, a former Member of Parliament for Bamunanika County, was elected Muslim District Council Chairman two years ago but later fell out with Mufti Mubaje, citing constitutional breaches in the extension of Mubaje’s tenure.
