Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje, the Mufti of Uganda, has called on young people to prioritize diligence and hard work over the pursuit of marrying wealthy partners.
He made these remarks during the
funeral of Mzee Ismail Gidudu, a well-known shoe shiner in Mbale City, held in
Makuduyu village on Tuesday.
"Don’t be drawn to a woman’s wealth unless you’re ready to shoulder household responsibilities. Never underestimate the value of hard work," Mubaje advised.
He commended Gidudu's success,
noting, "The deceased supported his family of nine children as a shoe
shiner. Today, we see women leading in various professions."
Mubaje praised Gidudu as a diligent
and honest individual who was a strong supporter of his leadership.
"I’ve known Gidudu since my
tenure as Kadhi of Mbale District when he worked near my shop. It wasn’t until
later that I realized Namaganda was his daughter," he reflected.
Mubaje also emphasized that many
jobs, like shoe shining, roadside chicken roasting, or selling groceries,
require minimal startup capital.
"Find a suitable spot and start
your business with whatever little capital you have," he advised young
people.
He also highlighted the UMSC’s
initiatives to improve the economic well-being of the Muslim community,
announcing that Shs 700 million has been allocated for various agricultural
projects across eleven Muslim regions to boost household incomes.
"Some regions will focus on
growing coffee and cocoa, while others will engage in goat and sheep farming,
depending on their local conditions. I urge Kadhis to encourage people to prepare
their gardens. We will soon distribute seeds funded by UMSC. This is our own
money; we haven’t received any government support," he clarified.
In addition to economic initiatives,
Sheikh Mubaje cautioned Muslims to remain vigilant against the slight resurgence
of COVID-19 in East Africa.
"I recently returned from an
international conference in Makkah with the Eastern Regional Assistant to the
Mufti (RAM). After returning to Uganda, I experienced flu and a cough and
tested positive for COVID-19. If you have persistent flu and cough, please get
tested and seek treatment," he advised.
At the same funeral, Deputy Mufti
Sheikh Muhammad Ali Waiswa commended the Muslims of Mbale for their unwavering
support of Sheikh Mubaje.
"People often recognize good
deeds but resist those who bring change. I want to thank the Muslims of Mbale
for standing by the Mufti. It’s common for people to turn against leaders once
they gain power, just as they did with the Prophet," Sheikh Waiswa said.
He encouraged people to visit their
headquarters to witness the progress achieved under the Mufti’s leadership.
"We thank Allah for the Mufti’s
guidance and pray for his continued good health to lead us to greater
successes. His leadership has united the Ummah and promoted development,"
he added.
Earlier, Dr. Sheikh Ahmad Hamid
Wandega, the RAM for Eastern Uganda, also lauded the Mufti for transforming the
image of Islam and the UMSC.
"If you haven’t visited Old
Kampala recently, you might not recognize it. Many haven’t visited the
headquarters and may be misinformed. The Mufti’s accomplishments at the council
are significant and commendable. Let’s continue to support and pray for the Mufti
as the UMSC grows and evolves," he urged.