KAMPALA.
The Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) has successfully secured part of the land originally designated to house the Namugongo Shuha’dah (Martyrs) Masjid Noor during the reign of the late President Idi Amin around 1975.
Following the fall of President Amin’s government in April 1979, a large portion of the six-acre piece of land was encroached upon by unknown squatters- a situation that persisted over the years.
The remaining section accommodated a small mosque and a single-room structure that served as a classroom for young learners. This facility was being managed by members of the mosque committee who, having stayed on the land for a long period, took advantage of their positions to erect several kiosks for private businesses—without remitting any payments to the UMSC.
This situation continued until a few years ago when the government approached the Mufti of Uganda Shaban Mubajje to inquire about the status of the mosque, which had originally been designated as a national monument in memory of the first Muslim martyrs killed during the reign of King Mutesa I in the early 18th century.
Under the guidance of Mubajje, the UMSC National Management Committee resolved to form a subcommittee to oversee the redevelopment of the site. The subcommittee was chaired by H.E. Prof. Dr. Badru Ddungu Kateregga, with Haj Sulaiman Musana Kawangunzi serving as secretary.
The team developed an architectural plan that was later submitted to the government, following a directive from President Museveni, to facilitate his pledge of full financial support for the construction of a comprehensive Muslim center.
The proposed center will include a magnificent mosque, a conference hall, shops, a clinic, a museum, and a training block for Muslim clerics—particularly those engaged in Da’wah and community outreach programs.
It is worth noting that the subcommittee has already secured some funds, which have been used to construct modern flush washrooms and lay pavers on the walkways.
Over the past two months, the UMSC Department of Awqaf (Property & Endowment), under Nasser Musa Odongkara, has been engaged in intensive discussions with individuals who had long occupied the site.
Subsequently, both parties reached an amicable agreement, resulting in the occupants’ peaceful departure from the land to pave the way for the planned redevelopment project.
According to Odongkara, the eviction exercise was conducted successfully and peacefully.
“I extend my gratitude to my team members, including Hajj Ibrahim Mbubi, Miss Haawa Namaganda, Sheikh Abdu-Barri Kaloozi, and Sheikh Muhammad Guyidde (the Imam), among others, for handling the matter professionally,” remarked Hon. Nasser Musa Odongkara.