UMSC creates 17 new Muslim districts
By Issa Kigongo
The Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) Joint Session has approved the creation of 17 new Muslim districts across the country in a major administrative reform aimed at improving service delivery and strengthening governance structures within the Muslim community.
The resolutions were passed on Thursday, October 16, 2025, during a Joint Session held at the UMSC Headquarters, Old Kampala. The meeting brought together members of the National Executive Committee (NEC) and the Majlis Al Ulama to review performance reports and deliberate on key organizational matters.
According to the resolution, the new districts will be implemented in phases and subjected to a one-year probationary performance evaluation. Districts that fail to meet set administrative and operational standards within the probation period risk losing their status.
New Muslim districts approved
The newly created districts were categorized based on readiness, population, and administrative consultations.
- Category One – West Nile Region (High Muslim Population):
Obongi (carved from Moyo), Terego and Madi-Okolo (from the former Arua Muslim District), and Zombo (from Nebbi).
- Category One (b) – Pending Stakeholder Consultations:
Bombo (from Luwero), Midigo and Dacha (from Yumbe), and Maracha (from Arua).
- Category Two – Awaiting Stakeholder Engagements:
Agago/Pader (from Acholi), Kidepo (from Kotido), Serere (from Teso), Butebo (from Pallisa), and Kikuube (from Bunyoro).
- Category Three – Requests from Regional Representatives:
Kityerera (from Mayuge), Nankoma (from Namayingo), Kaberamaido (from Teso), Amolatar/Dokolo and Otuke/Alebtong (from Lango), and Kyotera (from Rakai, West Buganda).
Majlis Al Ulama endorse OIC recommendations
The Majlis Al Ulama, chaired by Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje, the Mufti of Uganda, received reports from the Department of Religious Affairs and discussed a concept paper on a recent Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) resolution.
The resolution encourages member states to commemorate the birth of Prophet Muhammad annually as part of efforts to preserve Islamic heritage. The Majlis scholars unanimously endorsed the recommendation for local implementation.
