UMSC Directs Muslim Schools to Seek Approval Before Processing Land Titles

The Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) has issued a directive requiring all Muslim-founded schools nationwide to obtain prior approval before processing land titles. This measure is intended to safeguard the ownership, identity, and heritage of institutions established by the Muslim community.

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The Council has observed with concern that some Muslim-founded schools are facilitating the processing of land titles through local governments without adequately addressing the issue of ownership and the identity of the founding body.

The directive, outlined in Circular No. 8 of 2026, addresses concerns about some schools processing land titles through local governments without adequately clarifying ownership and the founding body. UMSC Secretary for Education and Sports, Sheikh Juma Bakhit Cucu, warned that such practices could threaten the long-term ownership and Muslim identity of these institutions. The council cited examples like Arua Public Secondary School and Soroti Secondary School, where unclear ownership documentation has previously led to a loss of Muslim identity.

While supporting the government's policy for schools to have registered land titles, the UMSC insists that titles for Muslim-founded schools must clearly identify both the school's registered name and the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council as the foundation body. This ensures the school's legal identity is preserved while protecting the proprietary interests of the foundation body.

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This arrangement preserves the school's legal identity while safeguarding the proprietary interests of the foundation body.

Under the new directive, no Muslim-founded school can process or acquire a land title without prior knowledge and written approval from the respective Regional Assistant to the Mufti and UMSC Headquarters. School authorities must submit proposed land registration processes for review and approval before any transactions. The UMSC also instructed District Kadhis and Regional Assistants to identify and report schools that have already obtained titles without UMSC as the foundation body, for further action.

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Your cooperation is essential in protecting these institutions for future generations.