Madi- Okollo — Sheikh Abdul Wahid Juma Ceaser has officially been sworn in as the first Kadhi of Madi-Okollo Muslim District during a colourful ceremony held at Rhino Camp Town Council Headquarters on Thursday, May 14, 2026.
The ceremony was presided over by Sheikh Imran Ssali, who represented Dr Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje. The event attracted several dignitaries, including Drabe Ismail Adirisi, Aluma Alua Godfrey, Eric Angoyu, ASP Karekyezi Daniel, OC Rhino Camp Police Station, Sheikh Mahdie Muhmood Raihan, and Sheikh Abu Jafar Shaban Karala, among others.
At exactly 1:00 p.m., Sheikh Abdul Wahid Juma Ceaser, accompanied by his parents and newly wedded wife, took the oath of office administered by the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) Commission team led by Were Abubakar Wadanghor and assisted by Counsel Hadad Salim, the West Nile Regional Commissioner.
In his remarks, Sheikh Karala expressed gratitude to the Mufti and UMSC leadership for approving the creation of additional Muslim districts in West Nile, saying the vast geographical coverage had previously slowed service delivery to Muslim faithful.
“As the mother district, Arua followed all the prerequisite procedures required for the creation of the new district,” Sheikh Karala said.
He also urged local government leaders to provide technical and institutional support to the new Kadhi, warning that the district could face challenges similar to those experienced in Arua, particularly disputes involving Muslim land.
“He might encounter similar serious problems like what we faced when we assumed office a couple of years ago due to harassment from land grabbers who had illegally occupied some UMSC mosque lands even here in Madi-Okollo,” Sheikh Karala remarked.
The Kadhi further appealed to district leaders to support the registration of Muslim-owned land, a request positively received by the district chairperson.
Speaking at the function, Sheikh Raihan reflected on the historical role played by his grandfather, Raihan, a British-trained soldier who helped mediate tensions between colonial administrators and local communities resisting British rule under tribal chief Ajai.
“It was my grandfather who convinced the white administrators not to kill the tribal chief as they had long planned. Instead, they allowed him to continue self-rule, which later quickened the spread of Islam in the region,” Sheikh Raihan said.
District leaders, including Drabe Ismail Adirisi, Eric Angoyu, and Mayor Aluma Alua Godfrey, thanked the Mufti for granting Madi-Okollo Muslim District status and pledged cooperation with the new Muslim leadership.
In a speech delivered on his behalf by Sheikh Ssali, the Mufti called upon Muslims in the district to support Sheikh Abdul Wahid Juma Ceaser and the newly established leadership structure.
The Mufti concluded by officially declaring the installation ceremony successful.
Keywords: Madi-Okollo Muslim District, Sheikh Abdul Wahid Juma Ceaser, Kadhi installation, Uganda Muslim Supreme Council, Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje, Rhino Camp Town Council, West Nile, Sheikh Abu Jafar Shaban Karala, Islam in Uganda, UMSC, Madi-Okollo District, Muslim leadership
