The Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) is asserting its claim over Mariam High School, a girls-only secondary school in Kampala. UMSC Secretary for Education, Sheikh Juma Bakhit Cucu, revealed that Mariam High School, approved by the education ministry as a grant-aided school, was originally owned by UMSC. Recent attempts to alter ownership by a group of 11 individuals were flagged, leading to UMSC’s intervention.
Cucu explained that a generous Muslim donated land for the school’s construction in the 1980s, and it was funded by partners from Sudan’s Munadhamat Dawat Islamiah. The land title was transferred to UMSC in 1984. However, internal conflicts within UMSC allowed specific individuals to retain ownership of properties meant for the Muslim community, including Mariam High School.
UMSC has formally communicated with the Ministry of Education, requesting the suspension of aid to Mariam High School. The letter focuses on claiming ownership of the land on which the school is situated rather than asserting direct ownership of the school itself.
The school land was reportedly used as collateral for a loan from Greenland Bank by former UMSC leadership. When Greenland Bank ceased operations, the land title was transferred to another company, leading to the listing of the school property for sale. UMSC took legal action, securing a court order to halt the sale and placing a caveat on the property.
Similar ownership disputes involving UMSC and the Kibuli Muslim faction-backed Uganda Muslim Education Association (UMEA) have arisen in other schools, including Bwala Primary, Kasawo, Nateete Muslim High School, Kampala High School, and Kololo High School.
