Ugandan sheikh accused of spreading false doctrine, barred from preaching Islam

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The Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) has indefinitely barred Sheikh Swaleh Mubiru from preaching the Islamic theology after adjudging him of allegedly spreading erroneous Islamic doctrines.

The decision follows Mubiru’s propagation of doctrines considered heretical and inconsistent with the four sources of Islamic jurisprudence.

UMSC director of Sharia, Dr Sheikh Ziyad Lubanga, made the pronouncement during a press briefing on November 18, 2025.

“I am here to inform the general public that His Eminence Dr Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje, the Mufti of Uganda, has officially barred Sheikh Swaleh Mubiru from conducting Islamic religious learning sessions (darusu) in all mosques, schools, Muslim social gatherings, and on Muslim media channels aligned with the mainstream Ahlu Sunnah Waljama for spreading erroneous Islamic doctrines,” Lubanga said.

Safeguarding image

Lubanga said the action aims to safeguard the image of Islam, promote unity among the Muslim faithful and prevent confusion allegedly being spread by anti-Muslim elements associated with the Quraniun movement.

Lubanga further assured Mubiru that the ban could be lifted once he reforms, apologises and returns to the correct path.

Mosque Imams and Muslim clerics have been directed to communicate the decision to followers, while ordinary Muslims are advised to avoid these erroneous teachings.

Lubanga contextualised Mubiru’s teachings within earlier movements associated with the Quraniyuni (Quran-only) ideology that historically rejected hadith and scholarly consensus.

“It appears Sheikh Mubiru is trying to revive an old and misguided line of thought that adds little to the spiritual growth or practical understanding of Islam,” Lubanga said.

UMSC deputy director of Sharia Sheikh Salim Bbosa said the ban takes immediate effect.

He warned that any media channels, including social media platforms that host such teachings, will face legal action by UMSC.

Other sheikhs speak out

UMSC secretary for education Sheikh Juma Bakhit linked Mubiru’s teaching to a group he encountered in Tanzania, noting that such views were long discredited by mainstream scholars.

Sheikh Uthuman Kibuuka and Sheikh Nadawi Galimaka Kaluuma said Sheikh Mubiru is misquoting the Koran and disregarding hadith and classical exegesis.

Sheikh Hassan Mayambala welcomed the move, saying this is the only way to restore sanity. 

“We are having a challenge in our religion whereby anyone can preach even when they know nothing. I pray that this continues because preaching Islam is not guesswork but for those properly schooled in it,” Mayambala said.

Mayambala said this will also minimise on conflicts within the Islamic faith in the country.

“Let whoever says something justify it otherwise, we are facing a challenge of those distorting our faith,” Mayambala said.

Mayambala underscored the need for a national Islamic seminary where all Islamic graduates are prepared and issued certificates allowing them to preach as a regulatory mechanism. 

“In the Catholic and the Anglican churches, not everybody is allowed to preach, and we can copy a leaf from them,” Mayambala said.  

Background

Last month, the UMSC summoned Mubiru to appear before it and explain the basis of his controversial sermons in regard to the sources of Islamic laws.

Mubiru, however, failed to explain the source of his sermon, but he instead said he stands by it. Mubaje said Mubiru’s sermon is misleading and vague, imploring Muslims to disregard it.

“I have found the explanations erroneous and vague,” Mubaje said. 

Mubaje warned Muslim clerics against such controversial sermons because they not only cause confusion among Muslims but can also spark bloodshed and conflicts in society. Conflicts relating to the interpretation of the Koran and other sources of Islamic law have existed since the arrival of Islam around 1844. However, this has currently become more rampant.

This has been blamed on the lack of a uniform curriculum by the different schools which the muslim clerics in the country have attended, which have different philosophies.

There were plans to establish a national Islamic theological institute similar to the Christian seminaries so that all sheikhs have to go through it before being authorised to preach, but this has not been implemented.

The lack of a national Islamic seminary for sheikhs has provided a leeway to each sheikh to preach without checks and balances.