UMSC To Launch Nationwide Muslim Census Amid Concerns Over Population Decline Claims

His Eminence Dr. Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje, the Mufti of Uganda, has announced plans to conduct a nationwide Muslim Census to determine the approximate Muslim population in Uganda. This was part of his speech delivered after Friday Juma prayers at Masjid Abubakar in Mbarara City, Ankole-Kigezi Muslim Region, Western Uganda, on October 11, 2024. Mufti Mubaje explained that UMSC made this decision to express dissatisfaction with the recently released census report, which inaccurately showed a dramatic decline in the Muslim population.

According to the census report released by the Uganda National Bureau of Statistics, the Muslim population stands at 6.05 million, a figure that has been disputed by Muslims nationwide. “How can someone claim that Muslim polygamous families with multiple children have decreased compared to monogamous families with only one or two children?” he remarked. He suggested that this could be a calculated move by certain groups to deny Muslims access to national resources by falsely portraying them as a minority. “We still maintain that the Muslim population has doubled to nearly 12 million from our projections during the UMSC general elections a few years ago.”

In his well-received speech, filled with Quranic quotations and sayings of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), Sheikh Mubaje expressed gratitude to the Mbarara Muslim leadership, led by Kadhi Sheikh Abdallah Mukwaya, UMSC General Assembly members, and the Muslim community for abandoning past conflicts and embracing Islamic values of brotherhood and unity. “I wish to pay special tribute to the Muslim youth, who are the majority in the mosque, for leading the renovation of the mosque and constructing a multi-billion business center to fund Islamic activities in the district,” said the Mufti.

He also advised the youth not to be swayed by errant sheikhs who use social media to spread hate speech and insults toward national leaders, including the head of state, the Buganda Monarchy, and the Mufti himself, as this behavior damages the image of Muslims.

The Mufti highlighted UMSC’s efforts to boost Muslim household incomes through the recently launched Self-Sustainability Agribusiness Project. In the Ankole-Kigezi Muslim Region, the focus will be on coffee growing. In response to a request from Sheikh Abdu-Karim Abdallah Katamba, the Regional Assistant, Sheikh Mubaje pledged financial support for the ongoing construction of the business center. He also declared the official completion of the Abubakar Mosque renovation in Mbarara City.

Before the Mufti’s address, UMSC Secretary General Hon. Hadji Abbas Muluubya Ssekyanzi spoke about upcoming UMSC events. Sheikh Katamba, Sheikh Mukwaya, Haj Rashid Mukasa, the Mbarara Muslim District Chairperson, the Mosque Imam, and the Mosque Chairman each shared updates on community development and spiritual growth.
The day’s sermon, delivered by Sheikh Dr. Ziyad Swaleh Lubanga, focused on the importance of brotherhood as ordained by Allah in the Holy Quran.

The Mufti was accompanied by UMSC National Management members and toured the ongoing business center construction. Other attendees included Dr. Ismail Gainamungu, UMSC Executive Member, Hon. Kassim Kaduyu, General Assembly representative, neighboring district kadhis, county sheikhs, and imams.