Nakibinge urges Muslims to participate in politics

By Abdul-Wahid Kakande and Sarah Nalule

As the 2026 general elections draws closer, Prince Kassim Nakibinge Kakungulu, the titular head of the Muslim community in the country has urged Muslims to fully participate in politics so that they are not left behind.

Nakibinge made the call during the celebrations to mark the 130 years since the return of his grandfather Nuhu Mbogo Kyabasinga from exile in Tanzania at Kibuli mosque on Sunday.

Hundreds of Muslims including politicians from different political parties graced the celebrations.

“I urge you to fully participate in the forthcoming general elections at all levels otherwise those you undermine will become your leaders,” Nakibinge said.

Nakibinge, however, warned the Muslim youth against violence saying elections should not be a do or die.

He emphasized the importance of maintaining peace, respecting one another, and upholding democratic principles throughout the electoral process.

“If you are defeated, please accept that it is Allah that has decreed. You just need to tell the voters your ideas and if they don’t vote for you, please don’t fight because elections shouldn’t be a do or die,” Nakibinge said.

Nakibinge also appealed to the government to ensure that the ugly scenes that played out during the 2021 general elections do not happen again.

“I request those in authority to also reign over security organs to ensure that we have a peaceful electoral cycle,” Nakibinge said.

The prince also discouraged the use of vulgar or inflammatory language during campaigns, especially among young people, noting that such behaviour exposes them to risks and tarnishes their image as future leaders.

Mbogo, a son to former Buganda King Suuna II was exiled to Zanzibar by the British in 1893 for promoting Islam and maintaining his connections with the wider Muslim world.

Two years later, he was allowed to return home, and he assumed the leadership position in the Muslim community.

Mbogo played a key role in the Muslim resistance against Kabaka Mwanga II’s attempts to suppress Islam in Buganda in the late 19th century.

About the celebration of Mbogo’s return from exile, Nakibinge said it is done to remember his pivotal role in the propagation of Islam in the country.

“There are many reasons why we celebrate Mbogo, but the most outstanding one is his pivotal role in the promotion of Islam in the country. For example, when he was given this land where we are sitting today, he chose to build the mosque on the hill instead of his house. How many of us would have done this? I am sure even if it was me, I would have failed this test. Therefore, this is the man we are remembering today,” Nakibinge said.

Nakibinge said he draws inspiration from Mbogo in whatever he does.

“He fought wars but when he realised the dangers of fighting, he withdrew otherwise he would have been killed like Emin Pasha’s fighters and we wouldn’t have been born because at that time he had no child,” Nakibinge noted.

Prince Nakibinge also reflected on the historical significance of Sheikh Nuhu Mbogo’s return from exile, emphasizing that the Muslim community in Uganda celebrates him for his monumental contributions to the growth of Islam in the country.

According to Prince Nakibinge, Sheikh Mbogo was the first Ugandan Muslim to travel to Saudi Arabia, where he acquired a deep understanding of Islamic principles and practices. Upon his return, he brought back vital teachings that strengthened the faith and unity among Muslims in Uganda.

“He introduced core practices such as the direction of prayer (Qibla), proper Islamic dress code, and the discipline of observing the five daily prayers in public. These principles helped solidify Islam in Uganda,” Prince Nakibinge noted.

About Muslim unity, Nakibinge said it will only happen when issues which divide Muslims have been resolved.

“Some of our colleagues left us and joined the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council in the name of Muslim unity. We told them that we cannot join those people without resolving the issues that divided us. I no longer have a battery in my radio, but I am sure you know what is going on. Therefore, we should avoid making such mistakes because this may be a trap for us to start killing ourselves,” Nakibinge said.

The Supreme Mufti Sheikh Muhammad Shaban Galabuzi urged Muslims to emulate the legacy of Mbogo.

“We must ask ourselves, what are we contributing to our faith,” Galabuzi said.

Galabuzi revealed that the number of Muslim districts under his office has since grown from 12 to 40, vowing to ensure that his office covers the entire country.

Sheikh Yasin Kiweewa, the director of dawa at the office of the Supreme Mufti encouraged Muslims to work for the legacy that will outlive them.

“Whatever you do is what we shall remember about you when you die. If you leave a bad legacy, it is what we shall talk about you. We are here to remember Mbogo because of his legacy,” Kiweewa said.

Who was Mbogo

Mbogo was a signatory to the 1900 Buganda agreement alongside Zakaria Kisingiri, Stanislaus Mugwanya and Apollo Kaggwa since he was the head of the Buganda royal family then.

Throughout his life, Mbogo remained dedicated to promoting Islam and supporting the interests of his fellow Muslims.

Mbogo died on September 26, 1921, and he was succeeded by Prince Badru Kakungulu, the father of Nakibinge.