Supreme Mufti launches digital collection of mosque offertory

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The Supreme Mufti, Sheikh Muhammad Shaban Galabuzi, has launched a digital collection of offertories, including Zakat and Sadaqah, and called upon all mosques under the Office of the Supreme Mufti to open bank accounts for the faithful to deposit their offertories directly.

Galabuzi argued that the move will minimise the rampant conflicts within the Muslim community arising from mismanagement of funds. He said it will also enable mosque leaders to plan more effectively, unlike the current practice, where money is entrusted to a few individuals who end up misusing it.

“I call upon the leaders of our mosques countrywide to open bank accounts on which people can directly deposit their offertory. This will not only enhance accountability and transparency but will also enable proper use of the funds,” Galabuzi said.

Galabuzi launched the digital collection system at Masjid Yusuf in Nakifuma, Mukono district, on February 12, 2026. He said the initiative is intended to improve fundraising for mosque projects under his office.

He emphasised that the initiative marks a step forward in embracing transparency and modern systems that safeguard community resources. Encouraging Muslim leaders to adopt digital payments, he noted that the traditional method of collecting money in mosques and at events is outdated and lacks transparency.

“Open accounts for your mosques. When money is on account, it can be easily tracked. This will minimise conflicts at mosque level. This money will not come to our account, but yours. So, nobody should get worried about the digital banking system,” Galabuzi said.

Galabuzi revealed that his office has entered into a partnership with Centenary Bank to ensure that the Muslim community is not left behind in the transition to digital banking.

“Most of the religious institutions in the country have since embraced digital banking, and it is only us (Muslims) that have been lagging behind. I therefore thank Centenary Bank for approaching us,” Galabuzi said.

Under the arrangement, Shaun Mukwaya from Easy Money explained that each mosque will be allocated a code that members can use to make payments. The funds will then be directly deposited into the respective mosque accounts.

“What people all need to do is to use the mosque code to pay the offertory, and the money will be directly wired to the mosque account,” Mukwaya said.

Galabuzi also called upon Muslims and well-wishers to contribute to the “deen fund”, loosely translated in Luganda as “Ensawo y’Obusiraamu”, which is aimed at supporting development initiatives under the Office of the Supreme Mufti.

“If one million adult Muslims embrace this initiative by paying sh3000 annually to our account, this translates into sh3b. I can assure you that we shall achieve a lot without each of us feeling the pitch,” Galabuzi said.

The deen fund initiative stems from the partnership between the Office of the Supreme Mufti and Centenary Bank, enabling Muslims to channel contributions directly to the office through its bank account.

Galabuzi commended Rashid Musisi Ssemanda, chief manager corporate banking at Centenary Bank, for serving as a link between the Muslim community and the bank.

With a physical presence in 45 districts countrywide, Galabuzi said the Office of the Supreme Mufti has embarked on an ambitious agenda to establish facilities in education, health and development across these districts.

“Our focus is now on development and strengthening our structures. We have since moved away from bickering,” Galabuzi said.

Mukono district supreme kadhi Sheikh Abdu-Noor Kakande urged Muslim leaders under the Office of the Supreme Mufti to be exemplary.

“Our core values include transparency, accountability and integrity. You should always live by them otherwise, if you don’t, we make no difference from those we abandoned,” Kakande said.

Sheikh Twaha Kezala, secretary general of the Office of the Supreme Mufti, underscored the benefits of digital platforms, describing them as an efficient and convenient way for people to contribute to the development of their religion.

Dr Muhammad Musoke Kiggundu, director of communication, research and international relations at the Office of the Supreme Mufti, said the system will improve efficiency in handling donations.

“The intention of this initiative is to simplify the way we do the offertory. For example, we are supposed to pay zakat, but we have been doing it in a traditional way whereby the money lands into the hands of a few people that have ended up misusing it,” Kiggundu said.

Kiggundu added that proper collection of funds will enable greater support for Muslims in need and promote self-development.

Ssemanda said the world is moving towards digital systems in all sectors, and it is important for the Muslim community to embrace digital banking.

“We chose to work with the office of the Supreme Mufti because we share a common value of a better society and putting in place strong institutions,” Ssemanda said.

Aisha Nakitende welcomed the initiative but noted that it requires proper sensitisation. “I believe this is a good initiative, but it requires time for us to fully appreciate it,” Nakitende said.