“Sheikh Mbogo served the Muslim community wholeheartedly and with total dedication. He leaves behind an outstanding legacy as a principled and loyal leader, as well as one of the founding members of the Democratic Party, Uganda’s oldest political party,” Mufti Mubaje said.
Uganda’s Muslim community is mourning the passing of veteran Islamic scholar, preacher, and community leader Sheikh Abdul Qadir Mbogo, who died at the age of 96 after dedicating more than seven decades to the service of Islam and the nation.
The news of his death was announced on Friday evening by the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Norbert Mao, who paid tribute to Sheikh Mbogo’s lifelong contribution to Uganda and the Muslim faith.
“With humble acceptance of God’s will and in consultation with the family of the deceased, I announce the death of Sheikh Abdul Qadir Mbogo (1930–2026). We condole with his family and the Muslim community and pay tribute to him for his dedicated service to Uganda and Islam since the days of the legendary Prince Nuhu Mbogo,” Mao posted on X.
The Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) later confirmed the death, joining Muslims across the country in mourning one of Uganda’s most respected religious leaders.
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In a condolence message, the Mufti of Uganda, Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje, described Sheikh Mbogo as a devoted servant of Islam whose life was defined by preaching, guidance, and unwavering commitment to the teachings of the Holy Quran and Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
“Sheikh Mbogo served the Muslim community wholeheartedly and with total dedication. He leaves behind an outstanding legacy as a principled and loyal leader, as well as one of the founding members of the Democratic Party, Uganda’s oldest political party,” Mufti Mubaje said.
Born on March 13, 1930, in Ntinda, Kampala, Sheikh Mbogo began his Islamic education at an early age before pursuing further studies in Yemen. Upon returning to Uganda in 1951, he embarked on a religious journey that would span more than 70 years.
He first served as Imam of Abdul-Azziz Bulwadda Mosque in Kampala before rising through the ranks to become Kampala District Kadhi. From 1972 until his retirement a decade ago, he served as Kadhi of Kampala Muslim District and later became the chief preacher at the UMSC National Mosque in Old Kampala.
Throughout his distinguished career, Sheikh Mbogo witnessed and contributed to many defining moments in Uganda’s Muslim history. He worked alongside several generations of Muslim leaders and played a significant role in the growth and development of the Kibuli Muslim establishment.
Among his most notable achievements was his contribution to the establishment of Kibuli Hospital. He was among the Muslim leaders who mobilized communities across the country to support the hospital’s construction in the early 1980s, earning widespread admiration for his transparency, accountability, and integrity in managing resources.
Beyond religious leadership, Sheikh Mbogo made a lasting contribution to preserving Uganda’s Islamic heritage through his book, Ebyafaayo by’Obusiraamu (History of Islam), which documents important events, personalities, and milestones that shaped the Muslim community over several decades.
Widely regarded as a living archive of Uganda’s Islamic history, he witnessed and participated in major developments from the colonial era through to modern-day Uganda.
Paying further tribute, Mufti Mubaje described the late cleric as a humble, wise, and soft-spoken leader whose life reflected the values he preached.
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“He practised and embodied the divine messages he taught from the Holy Quran and the sayings of Prophet Muhammad throughout his decades of service,” the Mufti said.
The Mufti offered prayers for Allah’s mercy upon the deceased and directed the UMSC Secretary for Religious Affairs to organize special funeral prayers at the National Mosque in Old Kampala following Thuhur prayers. He also called on Muslims to attend in large numbers and pay their final respects.
According to funeral arrangements released by the family, Sheikh Mbogo will be laid to rest at Kiwanga in Namamve on Saturday at 4:00 p.m.
His passing marks the end of an era for Uganda’s Muslim community. Remembered for his humility, wisdom, integrity, commitment to Islamic education, and promotion of unity, Sheikh Abdul Qadir Mbogo leaves behind a legacy that will continue to inspire generations of Muslims in Uganda and beyond.
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