His Eminence, Dr. Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje, the Mufti of Uganda, hosted a delegation of Muslim leaders from Bombo Muslim County in Luwero Muslim District on Thursday, October 2, 2025. The delegation was led by Hon. Abubakar Kalume, their District Representative to the UMSC General Assembly and Executive Member representing the East Buganda Muslim Region.
Among the leaders were elder Haj Abdu-Rahman Ismail Ddabule (former Mayor of Bombo Town), Hon. Mustafa Habib (National Chairperson, Muslim Youth Council), Sheikh Twaha Lubega (Deputy Kadhi, Luwero Muslim District), Mr. Bachu Ghadafi (District Treasurer), and Sheikh Hadad Tandiya (County Sheikh), among others.
They met the Mufti shortly after the Zuhr (afternoon) prayers in his office. Also present were His Eminence Dr. Sheikh Hafiz Muhammad Harunah Bukenya, the 2nd Deputy Mufti; Hon. Haji Abbas Muluubya Ssekyanzi, Secretary General; Hon. Counsel Haji Muhammad Ali Aluma, Deputy Secretary in charge of Finance and Administration; and Hon. Abdu-Razaq Arinda, Deputy Secretary General in charge of Planning and Development, among others.
On behalf of the visiting delegation, Hon. Kalume read a three-page document outlining the purpose of their courtesy call. The delegation congratulated the Mufti on his re-election to the highest office, as well as his victories in multiple court cases instigated by a handful of misguided Kampala-based individuals.
The document also highlighted the historical background of Bombo Muslim County, particularly the Nubian community in Luwero and Kitubulu in Entebbe. It detailed the rich Nubian culture and the significant Muslim population growth in the area, now numbering over 50,000, including both adults and youth. The community currently has 100 mosques, 50 Islamic primary schools (in need of infrastructure improvements and trained Islamic religious teachers), two health facilities lacking adequate equipment and medicine, and two abattoirs.
The delegation particularly emphasized the unfinished Masjid Noor project, which was started during the reign of the late President Idi Amin. Planned to be the largest mosque in the district, it was meant to include annex offices and residences for Muslim leaders. The leaders reminded the Mufti of his pledges to support the completion of this project, as well as to provide medical equipment for health facilities.
Hon. Kalume concluded by requesting that Bombo be elevated to full Muslim district status, citing its historic role as a special Muslim hub with significant potential for growth and development. Elder Haj Ddabule supplemented the request with additional points on culture, education, youth, women’s affairs, and lobbying for Haj offers .
In his response, Mufti Mubaje expressed his delight at the visit. “I would have been amazed to hear that you did not support the UMSC, established by the late President Idi Amin who himself hailed from a Nubian community,” he remarked.
He also highlighted achievements and challenges the council has faced during his 25 years in office, and he assured the delegation that their concerns would be addressed. Follow-up will be handled by the relevant council offices, particularly the Secretary General’s office and the Department of Education.
Dr. Sheikh Bukenya, a resident of the area, pledged half bursaries for children born in the community to study at Ubbayyi Islamic Primary School, which he founded. He also informed the gathering that his wife, a Sheikhat, is available to teach the Holy Qur’an to Muslim women in the area.
Before departure, the delegation gifted the Mufti with items including a he-goat, chicken, a bunch of green bananas, and a colored Nubian mat, which he warmly received.
Haj Zziwa Ashiraf
UMSC Spokesperson.