KAMPALA– His Eminence Dr. Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje, the Mufti of Uganda, has implored Muslim clerics to intensify Islamic teachings on zakah—the annual alms giving—through which wealthy Muslims are reminded to fulfill their religious obligation as was ordained upon them by Almighty Allah to support the less privileged and vulnerable members of the community by giving them a small percentage of their wealth in form of charity annually.
The Mufti made the remarks during a function organized by One UMMAH, a Muslim-based charitable organization headed by Hajjat Shania Kigozi as its Country Director. The event was held inside the National Mosque main Prayer Hall at the UMSC Headquarters in Old Kampala on Tuesday, December 16, 2025.
In his touching speech, punctuated with Holy Qur’anic verses and the divine sayings of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), the Mufti noted that Allah made zakah one of the five pillars that build the Islamic creed.
“The Muslim clerics have done a great deal of preaching on other pillars such as Islamic monotheism—the strong belief in the oneness of the Creator, Allah—observation of the five obligatory daily prayers, fasting of the holy month of Ramadhan, and performance of pilgrimage to the Holy City of Makkah for those who can afford. Unfortunately, the teaching on zakah, its offering and distribution, has largely been neglected. This has led to a situation where the majority of the faithful are not aware, yet some of them have gained the capacity to offer it,” the Mufti said.
He further cited examples of wealthy merchants operating successful large business ventures in Kampala who hardly offer zakah.
The Mufti preached that whoever offers zakah to the poor attracts and doubles Allah’s divine blessings upon their wealth while at the same time dispelling poverty. “So let the rich know that the best way to protect their wealth is to offer zakah promptly,” he spiritually guided. He praised Hajjat Shania and her international partners for the proper management of this noble aspect that calls for high level of trust and integrity.
Turning to the 200 selected beneficiaries—comprising men, women, and young children from different areas—the Mufti urged them not to return home and consume the funds for feeding, but rather use them as seed capital to initiate household income-generating ventures such as growing cash crops.
“God gave us this land with fertile soils and a good climate for our sustenance. Unfortunately, the majority of citizens have done very little in agriculture. They keep lamenting about poverty,” he remarked.
He also expressed his profound gratitude to His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the President of Uganda, for his tireless efforts in traversing the entire country to remind Ugandans to embrace government poverty alleviation programmes such as *MyOga* and the Parish Development Model, among others. “So I urge all of you to go to your respective areas and ask for such programmes,” he said.
The Mufti further reminded Imams and Muslim women to ensure that they register for their respective SACCO groups that have been put in place to help them fight poverty.
In attendance were prominent Muslim figures including Sheikh Abubakar, a member of MAC, and Mr. Abdu-Karim Karisa, Director of Salam Charity and Salam TV, among others.
