KAMPALA.His Eminence, Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubajje, the Mufti of Uganda, has implored Muslim faithful to live exemplary lives as responsible citizens who uphold family values and unity—even in the absence of family heads who may have departed this world.
The Mufti’s fatherly and spiritually awakening message was delivered on his behalf by Sheikh Imran Abdnoor Ssali, the UMSC Secretary for Religious Affairs, during memorial prayers dedicated to the late Hajjat Hadijah Namutebi, a former resident of Katwe, a suburb in central Kampala. The late Hajjat Namutebi was the wife of Haj Khalid Kasirye, an elder and staunch volunteer of the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) since its inception in the 1970s.
The prayers were held at the family’s ancestral home in Kakindu, Mityana Muslim District, over the weekend. In his soul-uplifting sermon, Sheikh Ssali reminded the congregation that contemporary society is deeply affected by widespread vices, many of which are propagated through social media platforms.
“These have contributed to marriage breakups, poor child upbringing, and have had a negative impact on society in general,” he preached.
He urged Muslim parents to intensify efforts to teach their children religious knowledge from home.
“Make sure that your children learn Deen — Islam — by hiring an Islamic teacher who can instruct them,” he said.
Sheikh Ssali further advised Muslims to be responsible by writing wills that clearly outline family details and property management in the event of death.
“You are afraid of making wills, thinking it’s a bad omen, yet death is inevitable. This has caused endless conflicts in families where heads died without leaving wills,” he noted.
Before concluding, Sheikh Ssali reminded married couples to formalize their unions by acquiring registered marriage certificates.
“Otherwise, it becomes difficult to prove the legitimacy of such marriages in case a spouse dies,” he cautioned.
Earlier, Sheikh Bashir Luwenda, the host Khadi of Mityana, centered his sermon on the importance of remembering departed loved ones through constant supplication, praying that Almighty Allah continues to bless their souls.
Among those in attendance were Haj Ali Kasirye Mulyanyama, a prominent Kampala-based politician, and several area Muslim leaders.