How Supreme Mufti Sheikh Ndirangwa narrowly survived Prince Nakibinge’s plot to humiliate him

Sheikh Siliman Kasule Ndirangwa could have faced the humiliation of his life had he not acted fast to announce his resignation since titular head of Islamic faith in Uganda Prince Kassim Nakibinge had made up his mind on ensuring that he shows him the exit door.

Ndirangwa, the Kibuli faction Supreme Mufti since 2015, stole breaking news headlines Thursday night when he announced his shock resignation via media.

He said his exit was for the good of the Islamic faith and hinted on irreconcilable differences with the administration at Kibuli.

Yet Ndirangwa’s resignation was a smart move that saw the cleric outsmart Nakibinge and others, according to sources.

Although this publication was unable to corroborate these claims, sources said one of the reasons Nakibinge wanted Ndirangwa out of the Supreme Mufti office was his (Ndirangwa’s) perceived support for President Yoweri Museveni and his disdain for Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine.

Ndirangwa’s fate had been sealed earlier in the week, with the Nakibinge camp planning to announce the sacking of the Supreme Mufti.

The straw that broke the back of the camel was the deliberate exclusion of Ndirangwa’s name from the list of speakers during the Duwa prayers for ex-Utoda leader Musa Katongole on March 31.

Protocol was thrown in the trash bin, and Ndirangwa left suspecting why he was being forgotten.

Although some of his associates had advised him against going for Katongole’s burial at Nakasajja, Kyampisi in Mukono North on April 01, Ndirangwa rejected the idea because he was a friend of Katongole.

He is said to have spent many minutes in his car after reportedly collapsing in the vehicle parked near the funeral venue.

Pearl Times News could not independently verify this claim.

But after Katongole’s sendoff, Ndirangwa is said to have quickly acted, convening a crisis meeting during which it was agreed that he should step down instead of waiting for the council of sheikhs to fire him.

Meanwhile, a mole in the meeting leaked Ndirangwa’s decision to resign to the Nakibinge camp.

Attempts were made to convince the Supreme Mufti not to step down.

But the now defiant Ndirangwa refused to pick calls from the known Prince Nakibinge associates.

He would then ask his aides to quickly call reporters to Mengo for an improptu meeting to break the news of his resignation.

Additional reporting: Courtesy