Mufti Mubaje Calls for Mawlid Public Holiday
Muslims from across Uganda gathered in large numbers at the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) headquarters in Kampala on Tuesday to commemorate the birth of Prophet Muhammad, with the Mufti of Uganda Dr. Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje calling for the occasion to be gazetted as a public holiday.
The National Mawlid celebrations, held on August 25, 2026, brought together Muslim leaders, government officials, diplomats, religious scholars and ordinary faithful to mark Rabi al-Awwal, the month in which Prophet Muhammad was born.
The celebrations were presided over by Third Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of General Duties in the Office of the Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Hajjat Rukia Nakadama Isanga, who represented the Speaker of Parliament, Jacob Oboth Oboth.The event was initially held in the courtyard of the National Mosque but was interrupted by heavy rainfall, forcing organisers to move the celebrations into the main mosque hall. In her message, Nakadama commended Mufti Mubaje for his efforts to unite Muslims and pledged to convey his request for the recognition of Rabi al-Awwal as a public holiday to the relevant authorities.
“When you are united, it becomes easier for your community to be respected and heard whenever you have issues to be solved,” Nakadama said.
She said the government would continue engaging the Muslim community on issues concerning religious freedom and national development. In a speech read on his behalf by Nakadama, Speaker Oboth said Parliament supports the UMSC’s appeal for the recognition of Rabi al-Awwal and the national commemoration of Mawlid al-Nabi.
“Parliament hears you and Parliament supports you,” Oboth said.
He said Parliament would support engagements between the Muslim community and government aimed at promoting religious inclusion, freedom of worship and national unity.
Oboth said the teachings of Prophet Muhammad — including mercy, truthfulness, justice, humility and selfless service — remain relevant to Uganda’s development.
He linked the teachings to the priorities of the 12th Parliament, particularly the fight against corruption, accountability, open debate, people-centred legislation and proactive oversight.
The Speaker also praised the contribution of Islam to Uganda’s social and economic development through education, healthcare and financial inclusion.
He said the establishment and operationalisation of Islamic banking in Uganda was an important development that could promote ethical financial services, support small businesses and contribute to poverty alleviation.
Mufti Mubaje said the commemoration of the Prophet’s birth provides an opportunity for Muslims to reflect on his teachings and his role as a mercy to humanity.
He quoted verses from the Holy Quran and teachings of Prophet Muhammad while addressing the congregation in Arabic, English and Luganda.
Dr.Sheikh Mubaje said the Prophet’s mercy extended beyond human beings, citing his teachings on the humane treatment of animals. He said Muslims were justified in expressing joy during the commemoration of the Prophet’s birth, saying the tradition had been maintained by previous generations.
The Mufti also referred to a resolution of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), of which Uganda is a member, calling for the Prophet’s birth to be commemorated annually by member states as an opportunity to teach people about his life and teachings.
## UMSC to Review Islamic Curriculum
Dr.Sheikh Mubaje announced plans by the UMSC to revive and review Uganda’s Islamic education curriculum, particularly teachings based on the Shafi’i school of Islamic jurisprudence, which he said had historically been taught to Muslims in Uganda.
He said the review was necessary to address confusion arising from differences in religious interpretations and to ensure that younger generations receive structured Islamic education.
Sheikh Mubaje noted that in the past, Makkah had experts representing the four major Sunni schools of jurisprudence — Shafi’i, Maliki, Hanafi and Hanbali — who taught Muslims according to their respective traditions and countries of origin.He said that system had since changed, contributing to gaps in structured Islamic instruction.
“We want to revise and streamline our school curriculum,” Sheikh Mubaje said.
He also disclosed that he had contacted publishers in Nairobi who previously produced Islamic theological books used by Muslims and Islamic schools in Uganda.
According to Sheikh Mubaje, the publishers had agreed to resume printing the books.
He said they had also agreed to republish the Luganda translation of the Holy Quran produced by the late former Chief Kadhi of Uganda, Sheikh Maulana Abdurazak Matovu.
However, Sheikh Mubaje said the translation would be published in smaller volumes to make it easier for Muslims to read and carry. The celebrations also featured competitions involving young Muslims from Uganda’s ten Muslim regions, aimed at promoting Quranic knowledge and appreciation of the Prophet’s life and teachings.
The competitions included Quran recitation, Azan and Islamic poetry and songs. Ibrahim Nurudeen from West Nile emerged the best Azan caller and received Shs1 million.
Haidar Kalyango from East Buganda was declared the best Quran reciter and received a Hajj package. Ummat Salam, a Mataari Muslim artists’ group, emerged the best in composing songs and poetry praising Prophet Muhammad and received Shs3 million.
Those who finished second and third in the respective categories were also rewarded with cash prizes and Umrah offers. The winners received their awards from Sheikh Mubaje and Hon.Nakadama.
The event was attended by Deputy Mufti Sheikh Muhammad Ali Waiswa, Second Deputy Mufti, Dr. Sheikh Hafiz Muhammad Harunah Bukenya, UMSC executives, members of the General Assembly and National Management Committee, diplomats, judicial officers, heads of institutions, former Muslim leaders and prominent Islamic scholars.
The celebrations ended with a luncheon for the participants and guests.