The Mufti of Uganda, Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje, has urged Muslims to lead righteous lives, uphold Islamic values and prepare for the hereafter, warning against excessive attachment to worldly pleasures at the expense of religious obligations.
Sheikh Mubaje made the remarks while presiding over memorial prayers for the late Haj Badru Muwonge, a prominent businessman, farmer and devoted Muslim, at his ancestral home in Mityana Municipality.
Addressing mourners, the Mufti reminded believers that earthly life is temporary and that every individual will ultimately be held accountable before Allah for their deeds.
“Fear the day you will be returned to Allah, then every soul will be compensated for what it earned, and none will be treated unjustly,” Sheikh Mubaje said, quoting the Holy Quran.
He emphasised that a true believer should take satisfaction in doing good, feel remorse after committing wrongdoing and seek Allah’s forgiveness through sincere repentance.
The Mufti also expressed concern about the influence of worldly entertainment, particularly content shared on social media platforms, warning that excessive engagement could distract Muslims from fulfilling their religious responsibilities.
“Do not waste your precious time in the amusements of this passing world, as is often portrayed on various social media platforms,” he cautioned.
Sheikh Mubaje challenged Muslim parents to take greater responsibility for the moral and spiritual upbringing of their children by ensuring they receive both Islamic and secular education.
He said raising disciplined, knowledgeable and God-fearing children was essential to strengthening Muslim families and securing the future of the Islamic community.
Reflecting on the life of the late Muwonge, the Mufti praised his commitment to Islam, generosity and contribution to the development of Muslim institutions.
“I implore you, the children and every Muslim, to emulate his legacy,” Sheikh Mubaje said.
He also called on Muslims to support the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC), emphasising that the institution belongs to the Muslim community and requires collective effort to strengthen its development programmes and modernise its management systems.
Speaking at the memorial prayers, Mityana Muslim District Kadhi Sheikh Bashir Luwenda commended the late Muwonge for his contribution to the expansion of Islamic education and religious infrastructure in the district.
Sheikh Luwenda revealed that Muwonge had donated land near his residence for the construction of a village mosque under the UMSC.
He further disclosed that the deceased donated 25 acres of land on which a Muslim primary school was established. Plans are also underway to develop a vocational training centre on the land to equip young people with practical skills for employment and self-reliance.
The main preacher, Sheikh Awwal Badru Miiro, who also serves as Deputy District Kadhi, delivered a sermon on Islamic principles governing inheritance and the distribution of property following a family member’s death.
Meanwhile, Sheikh Juma Mawejje Kabanda, the Regional Assistant to the Mufti, briefed mourners on developments within the Muslim community in the region.
UMSC Secretary General Hadji Abbas Muluubya Ssekyanzi also updated the gathering on activities and developments at the council’s headquarters.
During the gathering, Sheikh Uthuman Twaha Musa Kaajaya, the Mufti’s Special Envoy to South Sudan and chairperson of the organising committee for the forthcoming Muslim Youth Convention, called on Muslims, particularly young people, to participate in the event.
The convention is scheduled for October 29, 2026, at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds in Kampala.
Speaking on behalf of the bereaved family, the deceased’s son, Haj Yusuf Muwonge, and his cousin, Ismail Kasozi, Assistant Resident District Commissioner for Nakaseke, described the late Muwonge as a loving and dedicated father who prioritised the education and upbringing of his children.
They praised his commitment to family values and community development, saying his contributions had left a lasting legacy among his family and the wider Muslim community.
The memorial gathering brought together Muslim leaders, relatives and community members to honour Muwonge’s life, reflect on his religious values and recognise his contribution to Islamic education and community development.