Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubajje, the Mufti of Uganda, has urged the Mufti of South Africa to engage the South African government in considering a ban on TikTok.
Mubajje made the call on Wednesday April 16, 2025, during a meeting with His Eminence Maulana Ibrahim Ismail Bham at his office in Gaddafi National Mosque in Old Kampala expressing concerns that the popular social media platform could harm social development and damage the reputation of national leaders.
Having already urged the Ugandan government to take action against TikTok, Mubajje highlighted several issues with the platform, including its role in promoting harmful trends, spreading misinformation, and targeting public figures, including political and community leaders.
Mubajje further urged Muslim leaders worldwide to take a firm stance against TikTok. He called the platform a “dangerous tool” that undermines leadership and disrupts the development of African nations.
Mubajje’s concerns reflect the growing unease around the influence of social media, particularly on young people.
He explained that TikTok often promotes dangerous ideas and misleading content, which can derail progress and harm the public image of trusted leaders.
“I have already advised our government to take action against TikTok, and I now encourage the Mufti of South Africa to speak to his government and take similar steps,” Mubajje said.
“This platform misleads the public and threatens national development.”
The Mufti emphasized that TikTok has been contributing to the spread of fake news and harmful content, which can create instability in communities and distract from addressing real societal problems.
He stressed the importance of protecting young people from such negative influences to help build a stronger and more stable future for the next generation.
Mubajje added that he would continue to engage with the Ugandan government to ensure the TikTok ban is upheld, pointing to its role in spreading misinformation and exploiting the youth.
He also called on other African Muslim leaders to consider similar actions in their respective countries.
Though the Mufti of South Africa has not yet publicly responded to Mubajje’s request, the conversation about regulating social media platforms is becoming increasingly urgent.
Governments across Africa are now grappling with how to protect their societies from the negative effects of platforms like TikTok.
As TikTok and other social media networks continue to shape public opinion, the pressure for regulation is growing. African leaders now face the challenge of finding the right balance between maintaining freedom of expression and safeguarding cultural values and social well-being.
