The Mufti of Uganda, His Eminence Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje, has challenged the Muslim community to break the cycle of relying on foreign charity and instead take full financial responsibility for local developmental projects. The Mufti appealed on Friday during a fundraising drive for the completion of the Nakaloke Center Mosque in Mbale City.
The event attracted Members of Parliament, Imams, former District Khadis, and other Muslim leaders from across the region. Addressing the congregation, the Mufti urged Muslims not to depend entirely on donations from the Arab world but instead take responsibility for supporting their own projects through charity and zakat.
“Do not wait for the Arab world to donate to Muslims through charity. Every Muslim has a responsibility to give. Giving comes from the heart, however little it may be, because Allah always acknowledges it,” Mubaje said. He attributed the slow pace and stalled construction of many mosques in Uganda to a weak culture of giving and failure by many Muslims to consistently pay zakat. “We are waiting for Arabs to come and construct mosques for us, yet we can do it ourselves,” he added.
Mubaje was accompanied by the Second Deputy Mufti, Dr. Sheikh Hafiz Muhammad Haruna Bukenya, the Secretary General of the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council, Hajji Abbas Sekyanzi Muluubya, and other officials from the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council.
The Imam of Nakaloke Central Mosque, Saliman Farisi Balamazi, said construction of the mosque began in 2019 and has steadily progressed despite financial challenges.
According to Hajji Suleiman Herome, the chief coordinator of the fundraising committee, the mosque is designed to accommodate more than 5,000 worshippers once completed, making it one of the largest Islamic worship centers in the region.
He revealed that the project is estimated to cost about 3.5 billion shillings. So far, approximately 40 percent of the required funds, amounting to 1.22 billion shillings, have been raised, leaving a balance of about 1.83 billion shillings needed to complete the facility. With 40% of the work already covered, the mosque leadership and UMSC officials have rallied well-wishers to step up and bridge the remaining 60% deficit to ensure the project does not stall further-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
