The Mufti of Uganda, His Eminence Dr. Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje, has urged Islamic preachers and propagators to acquire sound religious knowledge before embarking on preaching and sharing Islamic teachings with others.
Dr. Sheikh Mubaje made the call while addressing hundreds of thousands of Islamic propagators, commonly known as Duats, during the annual Ijitimah at the Jamat Tablig headquarters in Bweya, Kajjansi, off the Kampala-Entebbe Highway in Entebbe Muslim District.
The three-day gathering, which started on Friday, August 21, and concludes on Sunday, August 23, 2026, brought together participants from across Uganda and neighbouring countries, including Kenya, Tanzania and Burundi, as well as others from Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Qatar.
The Ijitimah was organised to retrain participants and evaluate the mission and outcomes of their religious activities.
In his address, Dr. Sheikh Mubaje, who spoke in English, Luganda, Arabic and Swahili, cited Quran 12:108, in which Allah commands Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to invite people to God based on clear knowledge and understanding.
He also referred to a reported saying of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) on the virtue of learning and accurately conveying Islamic teachings.
“I implore you first to learn whatever amount of knowledge and perfect it, then go out and share it. But never indulge yourselves in deep theological discourses beyond your understanding; otherwise, you may end up getting confused and lead others astray,” Dr. Sheikh Mubaje advised.
The Mufti cautioned the preachers against relying on self-styled Islamic scholars on social media who issue religious rulings without the necessary qualifications or proper understanding of Islamic jurisprudence.
He urged the participants to avoid copying such individuals, saying uncoordinated and inaccurate religious rulings can create confusion among Muslims.
Dr. Sheikh Mubaje further urged the propagators to intensify their efforts to promote unity within the Muslim community and spread the message of peace to humanity.
He also thanked the NRM Government under President Yoweri Museveni, security agencies and other stakeholders for providing the freedom of worship and security that enabled the gathering to take place.
Earlier, the UMSC Secretary for Religious Affairs, Sheikh Imran Abdu Noor Ssali, commended the members of the Association for their discipline and good cooperation with the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council, urging them to maintain the relationship to facilitate their activities.
The host Kadhi of Entebbe Muslim District, Sheikh Farouk Ssendijja, also praised the participants for their contribution to spiritual renewal among Muslims.
“Thanks for being pious, humble and always exhibiting self-restraint,” Sheikh Ssendijja said, before briefing the gathering on the state of Muslim affairs in Entebbe Muslim District.
Sheikh Edris Mayanja, on his part, highlighted the Association’s principles, including the view that mosques should serve as places that invite people to Islam, teach acts of worship and provide social services to the wider community.
The gathering was attended by District Kadhis, prominent sheikhs and other Muslim leaders.