Religious institutions face fresh questions about public trust after the second deputy Mufti, Sheikh Muhammad Haruna Bukenya, became embroiled in a disputed gold transaction worth Shs1.2 billion that has resulted in criminal charges. He deputizes Shaban Mubaje.
Bukenya is jointly charged with businessman Elias Muzamiru Lubega over allegations that they obtained $288,000 (Shs 1.2 billion) from Muhammad Kwaido, a Nigerian, in Kampala on August 6, 2026, under the pretext of selling him three kilogrammes of gold.
The prosecution alleges that the two men acted alongside other suspects who have not been arrested.
They face charges of obtaining money by false pretence and conspiracy to obtain money by false pretence under sections 285 and 363 of the Penal Code Act.
While the allegations have not been proved in court, the involvement of a senior cleric in a transaction of this scale brings into focus the responsibility that comes with religious office in a society where many people look to religious leaders for moral guidance, honesty and accountability.
Sheikh Bukenya is a renowned cleric who runs a Quran memorisation school.
CCTV footage sought
In a letter dated September 14, 2026, Bukenya asked the Nigerian High Commission in Kampala to preserve security camera footage from August 6, saying it could help establish what happened during engagements concerning the transaction.
He said discussions and arrangements took place at the mission and cited the participation of its First Secretary, Muhammad Ibrahim Abdullahi, and Dr Sadiq Adam in relevant stages of the engagement.
According to Bukenya, these included the gold-testing process and a subsequent engagement at the High Commission at about 5pm on the day in question.
He argued that the CCTV recordings could provide an objective account of the events. He also requested an urgent meeting with the Nigerian ambassador to present his account and seek guidance, indicating that he intended to attend with three other people.
It was not immediately clear whether the High Commission had responded to the request by the time of publication.
A laboratory report issued by Nuran-Ventures Limited on August 6, 2026, states that Muhammad Ibrahim Abdullahi submitted three gold bars weighing a total of three kilogrammes for testing.
The laboratory recorded an average gold content of 99.36 per cent, equivalent to 24 karats.
However, the report stated that the findings applied only to the samples submitted by Bukenya and could not automatically be extended to other material from the same source.
The relationship between the tested samples, the alleged payment and the proposed sale remains an important question in understanding the transaction.
On October 21, when Senior Grade One Magistrate Edgar Karakire issued criminal summons requiring Bukenya to appear in court after the prosecution sought to compel his attendance.
State prosecutor Miriam Akite told the court that the prosecution had not provided the defence with the requested disclosures because the Director of Public Prosecutions had called for the case file following a complaint by Bukenya.
The case was adjourned to November 25, 2026, for mention.
