The Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) has halted Muslim-founded schools from independently processing land titles, introducing a requirement for prior approval from its headquarters to safeguard the ownership and identity of the institutions. The directive, contained in Circular No. 8 of 2026 dated August 5, follows concerns that some Muslim-founded schools have been processing land titles through local governments without adequately addressing ownership and the identity of the founding body.
“This practice poses a serious risk to the long-term ownership and identity of our institutions,” wrote the UMSC Secretary for Education and Sports, Sheikh Juma Bakhit Cucu. He warned that the absence of clear ownership documentation has previously contributed to the loss of the Muslim identity of some schools.
“History has shown that the absence of clear ownership documentation has contributed to the loss of the Muslim identity of some schools, including Arua Public Secondary School and Soroti Secondary School, among others,” Cucu stated. While reaffirming UMSC’s support for the government’s requirement that all schools possess registered land titles, Cucu said any title processed for a Muslim-founded school should clearly indicate both the registered name of the school and UMSC as the foundation body.
“This arrangement preserves the school’s legal identity while protecting the proprietary interests of the foundation body,” he said. The circular directs District Kadhis, Regional Assistants to the Mufti (RAMs), School Management Committees and Boards of Governors to exercise vigilance in all matters relating to land registration for Muslim-founded schools.
Under the new guidelines, “No Muslim-founded school shall process or obtain a land title without the prior knowledge and written approval of the respective Regional Assistant to the Mufti (RAM) and the UMSC Headquarters,” Cucu directed. He added that all proposed land registration processes must first be referred to the UMSC headquarters through the respective RAM for guidance and approval before any transaction is undertaken.
The circular also requires District Kadhis and RAMs to identify and report schools that have already obtained land titles without indicating UMSC as the foundation body, with such cases to be submitted to the Secretary for Education and Sports for appropriate action.
Cucu concluded by appealing for cooperation from Muslim leaders and school authorities. “Your cooperation in safeguarding the ownership, identity, and heritage of Muslim-founded schools is highly appreciated,” he wrote-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
