UMSC Starts Constitution Amendment Process.

The Constitution Review Commission instituted to Amend the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council Constitution has started its work.

The  commission chaired by Dr.Edris Serugo Kasenene, held its first session with the swearing-in of three commissioners; Sheikh Abubakar Yusuf Musoke, Sheikh Yusuf Isah Byekwaso and Mr. Abdurahman Buwembo Kasule.

Speaking at the session, the UMSC Secretary General Hon. Ramathan Mugalu reminded the commission the challenges the Muslim Community had experienced before the formation of UMSC  including lack of structures to guide  the muslim Community.

He informed the commission that despite the challenges that UMSC continues to  face, it has managed to overcome them through unity of Muslims.

“UMSC is the most organized with structures and independent Muslim Institution on the entire African Continent in comparison with those State Controlled by Muslim Religious Institutions especially the Arab dominated countries in Northern hemisphere of Africa and the Maghreb such as Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco and others," Hajji Mugalu noted.

Adding that" UMSC Constitution has been tested and  as a result both its strength and weakness have been identified.

According to Haj,Mugalu, they have been able to register many achievements including  unity of Muslims, which has bridged the gap between Muslims and Ugandan Authorities, social transformation in the field of Education and Health.

Hajji Magalu further noted that, the most achievement that came with the formation of the UMSC and  the Constitution is the right for Muslims to select their leaders right from the village Mosques.

However,Hajji Magalu noted that they still have  weaknesses including the enumeration of Employees, which affected service delivery, and the sidelining of women and youth from the management of Muslim affairs.

"According to the Secretary General, these among others slowed down the progress of the Council, but he advised the Commission to capitalize on the available Strength to enable Muslims to consolidate Unity that will fuel future development.

The Commission  resolved to rebrand as the UMSC Constitution Amendment Commission, adopted its terms of reference, rules of procedure and further resolved to examine Constitutions of 1972, 1982, and 1986 and other vital documents pertaining to the task at hand.

While swearing in the Commission,  the Mufti of Uganda Sheikh Shaban Ramathan Mubajje explained that over the years they have gained vast experience that led them to know its strength, weakness and challenges and that the  new developments in the Muslim community such as the Regional Administration, more Districts, management of Properties and various Muslim groups such Women and Youths call for an Amendment of the Constitution"

He further revealed that the perennial Muslim conflicts are not religious but rather based on worldly and material pleasure and thanked Sheikh Abdu Obeid Kamulegeya for his wise advice and struggle he led to enable UMSC to repossess its property on William Street.

Sheikh Mubajje advised them to work as a team with diligence, commitment and above all passion to deliver a pro- Muslim Constitution and called on them to come up with sub-committees for the efficient management of the tasks ahead as they move to all regions of the country to collect views from Muslims and pledged on behalf of the Council to avail them the necessary facilitations to carry out their task.