UGANDA | MUSLIMS | HERITAGE

The Mufti of Uganda, Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubajje, has implored Muslims to preserve their heritage.

Mubajje said this should be done by writing historical books to provide knowledge and reference for future generations.

Shaban Ramadhan Mubajje

In his speech read out by the second deputy mufti, sheik Muhammad Ali Waiswa during the 40-day memorial prayers (Duwa) since the death of Haj Nsereko Mutumba at Kinawa in Wakiso on Saturday, Mubajje said the preservation of heritage is key as it serves as a source of appraisal for future generations.

“I call upon Muslims who are knowledgeable about Islam to write books as a way of preserving our heritage,” Mubajje noted.

Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubajje

He said the preservation of the Muslim heritage calls for unity, and capacity-building in the collection of past knowledge, artifacts, records, and items for preservation, adding that a community can hardly move forward without knowing its past.

Citing several verses of the Qu’ran indicating that humans have different kinds of hearts, Mubajje said some hearts are filled with evil, while others are clean and steadfast towards worshipping God.

He praised Mutumba as a well-read researcher, author, and straight talker, who always spoke out on issues about building the nation and social transformation for communities.

Ramadhan Mubajje Muslim Constitution 2

“Mutumba’s death was a great loss to the Muslim community." We are yet to see another person of his calibre, "he noted.

Waiswa asked Mutumba’s descendants to liaise with the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council so that all the works he authored could be published as a single book.

Public service minister Wilson Muruli Mukasa equally pledged to provide support for the publication of Mutumba’s works.

About Mutumba

Haj Nsereko Mutumba died on August 3. At the time of his death, he was serving as the Kayunga Resident District Commissioner (RDC).

Shaban Ramadhan Mubajje 3

His appointment as RDC came barely a year after he retired from his position as the spokesperson of the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council.

Born in 1954 in Bukanga county in the Isingiro district, Mutumba attended Kyaluhambura Primary School for his elementary education.

He later joined St. Kaggwa Bushenyi High School before enrolling for a diploma in business studies at Uganda College of Commerce (now MUBS).

After school, Mutumba joined his father, Ssebuliba Mutumba, at the city abattoir in 1972.