Chief Mufti Mubajje reportedly involved in ballot rigging

Reports in Kampala say that the Chief Mufti of Uganda, Sheikh Ramadhan Mubajje, has been working with the state to ensure an NRM victory in the February 23 election.

The reports say that Sheikh Mubajje recently travelled to South Africa and returned with five million ballot papers which had already been ticked in President Museveni's favour.

According to sources in the Customs department at Entebbe International Airport, the ballot papers were packed as cargo containing copies of the holy Qur'an disguised as donations to the Muslim community.

The Imam and a number of Sheikhs at an undisclosed Mosque in Kampala were reportedly angered at what they saw after they insisted on opening the boxes. Sheikh Mubajje had reportedly refused to have them opened.

Since he became the Chief Mufti in 2002, Sheikh Mubajje has been very close to the NRM government and he has hosted President Museveni at several dinners at the Sheraton Kampala Hotel and other places to break the fast during the holy month of Ramathan.

During Ramathan in 2005, Mubajje entered a promotional drive with MTN telephone company, urging Uganda's Muslims to subscribe to MTN.

The deal was worked out by Charles Mbire, a director of MTN Uganda who has close connections with the First Family.

The Museveni family is reported to be a major shareholder in MTN Uganda.

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Feb-04-06 Update - Sheikh Mubajje Still in South Africa.

Reliable and confirmed sources have informed us that the Mufti of Uganda, Sheikh Ramadhan Mubajje, is still in South Africa.

According to the multiple sources in Pretoria, Johannesburg and Durban, including people close to him, it has been confirmed that the Mufti had travelled South Africa for special NRM duties the NRM party currently in government.

He was expected to be in Johannesburg on Saturday February 4.

Radio Katwe reported on Feb. 3 that Sheikh Mubajje is working with the state to ensure an NRM victory in the February 23 election.

The reports say that Sheikh Mubajje recently travelled to South Africa and returned with five million ballot papers which had already been ticked in President Museveni's favour.

We will keep you abreast of developments as they arise.