Former Supreme Mufti Ndirangwa dies at 61
Deceased: Former Supreme Mufti Ndirangwa. Photo/Courtesy
What you need to know:
- Sheikh Ndirangwa served as the spiritual head of the Kibuli Muslim administration until his unexpected resignation in 2021.
Sheikh Siliman Kasule Ndirangwa, the former Supreme Mufti of the Kibuli-based Muslim faction, has died at the age of 61.
Speaking to Monitor on Friday June 20, Hajj Ali Lwanga Ssemugenze, Sheikh Ndirangwa’s brother, confirmed that the cleric passed away at around 7pm at Mengo Hospital, where he had been admitted since Saturday last week.
“We are going to miss one of the strongest pillars in our family. Sheikh Ndirangwa was a father, teacher, and friend to everyone,” said Hajj Ssemugenze.
He added that the body was taken to his home in Konge and that on Saturday morning, June 21, it would be transported to his ancestral village, Kirayangoma in Masaka District. Burial is scheduled for 4pm, with the programme beginning at 10am.
Former Deputy Mufti from Old Kampala, Sheikh Abdallah Ssemambo, described Sheikh Ndirangwa as “one of my best friends for a long time.”
“We shared a lot. We grew up and studied together,” he said.
Sheikh Ssemambo added that people had been at the hospital since morning and held Juma (Friday prayers) there, “which shows how much he was loved.”
Sheikh Ndirangwa served as the spiritual head of the Kibuli Muslim administration until his unexpected resignation in 2021.
He succeeded Sheikh Zubair Kayongo, who passed away in April 2015, becoming the second leader to hold the title of Supreme Mufti under the Kibuli faction. This group broke away from the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) based at Old Kampala in 2009 over concerns about alleged mismanagement and abuse of Muslim properties.
While the reasons for his resignation were never officially disclosed, his parting statement at the time hinted at deeper issues within the administration.
Who Was Sheikh Ndirangwa?
Siliman Kasule Ndirangwa was born on October 9, 1962, to the late Hajji Muhammad Kasule and Hajjat Ajiri Nakawungu of Kirayangoma, Kisekka sub-county in present-day Lwengo District.
He began his education at Madarasat Noor Kirayangoma Primary School before joining Sseke Primary School near Kinoni township, where he completed his Primary Leaving Examinations. In 1974, he joined Bilal Islamic Institute for his O-levels and later earned an Idaad certificate that enabled him to study at Dar-al-Hadith Makkiyah in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
In 1985, he enrolled at the Islamic University of Madinah, where he graduated in 1989 with a degree in Da’awah (Islamic propagation).
He returned to Uganda and, in 1992, was appointed Imaam of Kibuli Mosque, a role that brought him into national prominence. During the 2000 UMSC elections, Sheikh Ndirangwa was elected unopposed to represent Kibuli Twaale (County) on the Kampala Muslim District Council. He later served as Kampala District Kadhi until his appointment as Supreme Mufti.
Beyond religious leadership, he also ran Swafah and Mar’wa Hijja and Umrah travel services, a company helping Muslims undertake pilgrimage to Mecca.
