By Johannah Nantongo
Young Muslims should remain respectful and obedient to their parents even when they differ in faith, His Eminence Second Deputy Mufti Dr Sheikh Hafiz Muhammad Harunah Bukenya has said.
Dr Sheikh Bukenya made the remarks while representing His Eminence the Mufti of Uganda, Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje, at the marriage ceremony – the nikah of Mr.Arshad Rukutana, son of former Attorney General Mwesigwa Rukutana, Ntugamo District and Ms Aryahimbisibwa Aisha Rukutana daughter of Mr.Ahimbisibwa Elly of Kibutamo, Shema District, at Gaddafi National Mosque on Saturday, August 14, 2026.
The nikah was conducted by Sheikh Abdul Wahid Rashid Nkalubo , the Imam of Gaddafi National Mosque, while Adam Ssemugabi, a member of the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) General Assembly representing Bushenyi Muslim District, witnessed the marriage on behalf of Aisha’s family.
Sheikh Bukenya said Islam requires children to maintain good relations with and honour their parents regardless of their religious beliefs, citing the Prophet Muhammad’s relationship with his uncle, Abu Talib, who did not embrace Islam. “Even if your father says, ‘Hand over the keys to that Range Rover,’ kindly do it because he is your parent and owns what belongs to you,” Sheikh Bukenya told the couple, emphasising the importance of respecting parents.
He also commended Arshad and Aisha’s parents for allowing their children to embrace Islam despite being raised in strong Christian Protestant families.
Mwesigwa Rukutana said Arshad was the third of his children to embrace Islam, despite the family’s strong Christian Protestant background.
“My father was the head of the laity for over 20 years in our church. I even built a church at my home. So people ask me why I could allow my children to embrace Islam. Personally, I allow my children to follow their own paths when they come of age,” Rukutana said.
Rukutana said his decision was also influenced by his belief that people can worship the same God while following different religious paths.
“You know, I read a lot, and I believe we serve the same God using different paths,” he said.
He said he had also observed positive changes in his children after they embraced Islam, particularly in their conduct and lifestyle.
“I realised that when my children embraced Islam, things like alcohol consumption were never an issue, and their character improved,” Rukutana said.
Sheikh Bukenya also praised Rukutana for his role in resolving a dispute between former Chief Kadhi Sheikh Rajab Hussein Kakooza and the late Mufti Sheikh Saad Luwemba, saying his intervention contributed to restoring stability within the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council.
The day’s preacher, Sheikh Hussein Ali Bulafu, used the occasion to urge the newlyweds to build a family that would preserve and expand their family legacy for generations.
Sheikh Bulafu said marriage carries a responsibility beyond the couple themselves, with families having a duty to raise future generations and preserve the values entrusted to them.
He referred to the Quranic account of Allah informing the angels of His plan to place humanity on earth, saying mankind was entrusted with the responsibility of developing and preserving what is on earth for generations to come.
He urged Arshad and Aisha to embrace marriage as an opportunity to build a strong family, have children and nurture them in a way that preserves the good values and legacy of their families.
Following the nikah, the Rukutana family hosted their guests to a well-attended banquet at Kigo Gardens along the Entebbe-Munyonyo Expressway, where family members, friends and relatives celebrated the newlyweds and presented gifts to the couple.
The banquet attracted several prominent personalities and public figures such as former Finance Minister, Hajjat Sayda Bumba, Sheikh Swaleh Kashangirwe, the Kadhi of Ntagamo Muslim District , Dr Elioda Elioda Tumwesigye, Electoral Commissioner Stephen Tashobya, Minister for Luwero Triangle Alice Kaboyo and businessman Bob Kabonero, among others.
The gathering brought together members of the two families, friends and well-wishers from different backgrounds to celebrate the couple and their union.