Promotion of Islamic Succession Law in Arua Muslim District, Uganda through Transdisciplinary Research

Opportunities and Challenges

Abstract

The study aimed to investigate the application of transdisciplinary research in promoting Islamic succession law in Uganda, highlighting its opportunities and challenges. The study was vital because the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) rejected the Succession Act of Uganda as contrary to Sharia. There are, however, no proper mechanisms for regulating Muslims' inheritance practices due to a lack of formalised legal and institutional frameworks, which is detrimental to Muslims, especially women who, in most cases, are denied their right to inheritance. The central question guiding the study was: How can transdisciplinary research be utilised to promote Islamic succession law, and what are the opportunities and challenges? The study adopted a mixed-methods approach within the socio-legal framework using a documentary review and interviews of selected Muslim leaders in Arua Muslim District. The findings revealed that informal Sharia courts exist from the Muslim District to the grassroots levels. These institutions apply Islamic succession law to distribute property to all beneficiaries, including women, a midst several challenges. These include non-implementation of the decisions of Muslim leaders yet the courts are largely inaccessible to address the grievances. There are inadequate facilities and lack of detailed information about Islamic succession law, among others. The study recommends the adoption of transdisciplinary research mechanisms to provide holistic solutions through stakeholder engagement as well as generate knowledge to inform policies and legislative processes on the establishment of legal and institutional frameworks for governing Muslim succession matters in Uganda.