The conundrum of intestate succession for Muslims in Uganda: Gadhis court, women’s rights, and I Islamic inheritance law issues

Abstract

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