Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) head, His Eminence Dr. Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje, has revealed plans to conduct a comprehensive national census of the Muslim population in Uganda. The announcement came during his address after Friday prayers at Masjid Abubakar in Mbarara City, Western Uganda, on October 11, 2024.
The decision follows concerns raised by the Muslim community over the recently released census by the Uganda National Bureau of Statistics, which placed the Muslim population at 6.05 million. Mufti Mubaje strongly disputed the figure, claiming that the actual Muslim population is closer to 12 million. He suggested that the inaccurate count could be a deliberate attempt to marginalize Muslims and limit their access to national resources.
“How can a census report claim a decline in Muslim families, especially polygamous ones, while they traditionally have more children than monogamous families?” the Mufti questioned, arguing the population should have increased instead of dropping.
In his speech, Mufti Mubaje also commended the local Muslim community for their efforts in renovating the Abubakar Mosque and constructing a multi-billion shilling business center aimed at funding Islamic activities in the region. He urged Muslim youth to avoid being misled by divisive figures who use social media to spread hate, calling for unity and adherence to Islamic values.
The Mufti further outlined the UMSC’s Self-Sustainability Agribusiness Project, which aims to boost incomes for Muslim households by focusing on coffee farming in the Ankole-Kigezi Muslim Region. He pledged financial support for ongoing development projects and announced the official completion of mosque renovations in Mbarara City.
UMSC Secretary General Hadji Abbas Muluubya Ssekyanzi, alongside other religious leaders, also provided updates on upcoming initiatives, emphasizing the importance of community growth and solidarity. The Mufti, accompanied by UMSC officials, toured the new business center construction site during his visit.
The nationwide Muslim census is expected to launch soon, aiming to provide more accurate data on Uganda’s Muslim population and ensure fair representation in national statistics.
