Nakawa– His Eminence Dr. Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje, the Mufti of Uganda, has hailed the outstanding legacy of Sheikh Muhammad Ali Waiswa, describing him as the most suitable person to have served as Imam of Makerere University Business School (MUBS) and urging the institution’s Muslim community to build on the foundation he established over the past 20 years.
The Mufti made the remarks on Friday, July 3, 2026, during a farewell ceremony held at the MUBS Mosque in Nakawa after Jumu’ah prayers to mark the end of Sheikh Waiswa’s two-decade tenure as the University Imam. Rt. Hon. Hajjat Lukia Nakadama, the Third Deputy Prime Minister, was the chief guest.
The ceremony attracted several distinguished guests, including Hon. Hadji Abbas Muluubya Ssekyanzi, the Secretary General of the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC), who led Council staff; Hajjat Zaminah Malole from the Office of the President; Hon. Justice Muzamir Kibedi of the Supreme Court; Prof. Twaha Kawaase Kigongo, the Third Katikkiro of Buganda; and Prof. Moses Muhwezi, the Principal of MUBS, among others.
In his address, the Mufti reflected on his friendship with Sheikh Waiswa, which dates back more than 45 years. He recalled first meeting him at Bugembe Islamic Institute in 1976 when he was a high school Islamic theological student and Sheikh Waiswa had come to undertake his teaching internship during his theological studies at the Islamic University of Madinah.
The Mufti said they remained in close contact until he became Mufti of Uganda. He explained that when MUBS established the office of the University Imam around 2005 to cater for the spiritual needs of Muslim students, the institution requested the Office of the Mufti to recommend a suitable cleric.
”When I looked around, the only person who truly qualified for that post was Sheikh Muhammad Ali Waiswa,” the Mufti said, drawing thunderous applause from the congregation.
He commended former MUBS Principal Prof. Dr. Juma Wasswa Balunywa for reorganising the Muslim community at the institution, a move that led to the establishment of the office of the Imam. He also thanked Sheikh Waiswa and all those who had worked alongside him during the past two decades.
”The legacy of Sheikh Waiswa is evident in the way he has transformed the Muslim community at MUBS, both physically and spiritually. He successfully mobilised the community to construct a mosque and a multi-storeyed multipurpose Muslim centre. I therefore implore the Muslims of MUBS to safeguard this legacy and take it even further by building on what he has accomplished,” Sheikh Mubaje said.
The Mufti also briefed the gathering on the current state of affairs at UMSC before disclosing that leaders of the country’s mainstream religious faiths had recently met President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to raise issues affecting Ugandans, including alleged abductions by unidentified security personnel, torture, corruption, forceful eviction of vendors and the imprisonment of politicians without trial.
”The President has agreed to address the nation, during which he will respond to these concerns. Therefore, we urge you to spare some time and listen to his address,” he said.
Earlier, MUBS Principal Prof. Moses Muhwezi praised Sheikh Waiswa for his invaluable contribution to the institution, describing him as a cleric whose role extended beyond spiritual guidance to mediation and community building.
”Sheikh Waiswa started well and has ended well,” Prof. Muhwezi said.
Representing the family, Ms Afifa Muhammad described Sheikh Waiswa as a loving, caring and devoted father, thanking him for his guidance and dedication both at home and in the wider Muslim community.
In his farewell remarks, Sheikh Waiswa expressed heartfelt gratitude to Almighty Allah for enabling him to serve successfully throughout his tenure. He also thanked the Mufti, the MUBS administration and the entire university community for the support they accorded him over the last 20 years.
Delivering the keynote address, Rt. Hon. Hajjat Lukia Nakadama paid tribute to Sheikh Waiswa for his distinguished service, describing him as a Muslim cleric whose leadership and commitment had positively impacted countless lives.
The ceremony concluded with prayers and presentations in honour of Sheikh Waiswa’s dedicated service to the MUBS Muslim community.
