THE CONUNDRUM OF INTESTATE SUCCESSION FOR MUSLIMS IN UGANDA: Qadhis Court, Women’s Rights, and Islamic Inheritance Law Issues
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14421/ahwal.2023.16103Keywords:
Inheritance, intestate succession, Qadhis court, women discriminationAbstract
During the 2018–2022 process to amend the Succession Act, Muslims in Uganda requested a separate law to regulate their inheritance. However, this was rejected by the Parliamentary Committee. As a result, Muslims are governed by the Succession Act for intestate succession. This article aims to examine the legal uncertainty regarding the status of Qadhis' courts in Uganda and its impact on the unclear enforcement of Muslim inheritance law, particularly intestate succession, through these courts. Relying on the case law study, it is safe to argue that Qadhis’ courts do not exist legally. Although the Constitution provides for the right to equality, allowing Muslims to follow Sharia in the distribution of an estate can be justified under the Constitution's guarantee of equality, as long as the rights of individual Muslims are balanced against the interests of the Muslim community. Overall, navigating the legal landscape of inheritance for Muslims in Uganda is a complex issue with various legal and practical considerations.
[Selama proses amandemen Undang-Undang Kewarisan pada 2018–2022, umat Islam di Uganda meminta undang-undang terpisah untuk mengatur kewarisan mereka. Namun, hal itu ditolak oleh Komite Parlemen. Akibatnya, umat Islam diatur oleh Undang-Undang Kewarisan yang lama. Artikel ini bertujuan untuk mengkaji ketidakpastian hukum mengenai status pengadilan Qadhis di Uganda dan dampaknya terhadap penegakan hukum kewarisan Muslim, khususnya kewarisan tanpa wasiat. Berdasarkan studi kasus, dapat dikatakan bahwa pengadilan Qadhis tidak ada secara legal. Meskipun Konstitusi memberikan hak atas kesetaraan, mengizinkan umat Islam untuk mengikuti Syariah dalam pembagian harta waris dapat dibenarkan di bawah jaminan konstitusi atas kesetaraan, selama hak-hak individu Muslim seimbang dengan kepentingan komunitas Muslim. Secara keseluruhan, menavigasi lanskap hukum kewarisan bagi umat Islam di Uganda merupakan masalah yang kompleks dengan berbagai pertimbangan hukum dan praktis.]
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Aisha Nantume Tifu v Damulira Kitata James (HCT Civil Suit 77 of 2007) [2011] UGHC 7 (12 January 2011);
Ayiko v Lekuru (Divorce Cause 1 of 2015) [2017] UGHCFD 1 (17 February 2017);
Carolyne Turyatemba & 4 Others v Attorney General & Anor (Constitutional Petition 15 of 2006) [2011] UGCA 6 (08 August 2011)
Darausi Tebandeke v Lugolobi Saidat, (Revision Application No. 6 of. 2011).
Hajji Kasoz Abdallah v Nalwoga Nakato (Civil Revision No.004 of 2018) (31 March 2021) (High Court at Mpigi);
Hajjati Saidati Sentamu v Kyagulanyi Yasin (Administration Cause 23 of 1996) [2001] UGHC 94 (01 March 2001);
Hatton and Others v The United Kingdom (Application no. 36022/97)(8 July 2003)
In Re: M.N. [infant] (Adoption Cause 289 of 2013) [2013] UGHCFD 22 (17 December 2013);
Kassim Ssejemba Kabogoza and Others v Dauda Mukasa (HCT-03-CV-CA-0098-2015)(Arising From Kayunga Civil Suit. No 095/2012) (High Court, Jinja)(29 March 2021).
Kinawa Jamila and Another v Asuman Bakali (Miscellenous Application No. 427 of 2014 Arising from Civil Suit No.06 of 2014, Sharia Court of Law at Iganga)(High Court, Jinja) (07 January 2019).
Law Advocacy for Women in Uganda v Attorney General (Constitutional Petition 13 of 2005) [2007] UGSC 71 (05 April 2007).
Mayi Bint Salim & 10 Others v Hajji Sulaiman Mayanja (Civil Appeal 37 of 2008) [2010] UGCA 39 (04 October 2010).
Nabawanuka v Makumbi (Divorce Cause 39 of 2011) [2013] UGHCFD 3 (13 February 2013).
Nalongo Sebyala and Others v Musisi Nanzuuka (Civil Appeal 35 of 2021) [2023] UGHCLD 81 (31 March 2023).
Saadi v Italy (Application no. 37201/06)(28 February 2008)
Safina Bakulimya & Anor v Yusufu Musa Wamala (Civil Appeal 68 of 2007) [2010] UGHC 105 (15 June 2010);
Sharon and Others v Makerere University (Constitutional Appeal 2 of 2004) [2006] UGSC 210 (01 August 2006).
Tumusiime & 3 Others v Semakula (Civil Suit No.76 of 2013) [2017] UGCOMMC 84 (14 JULY 2017)
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Consolidated Report of the Sectoral Committee on Legal and Parliamentary Affairs on the Succession (Amendment) Bill 2018 and the Succession (Amendment) Bill, 2019 (February 2021)
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Marriage and Divorce of Mohammedans Act (Chapter 252)(1906).
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Succession (Amendment) Bill, Bill No.24, Uganda Gazette No. 71, Volume CXIV, 27th September 2021.
Succession Act, Cap 162 (1906).
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