The Butaleja Muslim District Council has embarked on a renewed effort to improve religious leadership and community engagement, convening Imams and Da’wah leaders from across the district for a capacity building workshop on 23 November 2025.
The training, held under the theme “Reviving Effective Da’wah for a Stronger Muslim Community,” focused on modernising preaching methods, modelling Islamic conduct, and addressing social challenges within the Muslim community.
Delivering the keynote address, Imam Development Program (IDP) member and Butaleja District Secretary for Sharia, Brother Mwache Habiibu Abubakar, urged Imams to return to the Prophet Muhammad’s ﷺ example of simple, compassionate and practical guidance.
He said Da’wah should be rooted in humility and sincerity, reminding leaders that their influence depends on living the values they preach.
“Da’wah is a noble responsibility rooted in the Qur’an and Sunnah,” he said, calling on participants to pursue self-transformation before expecting community change, citing the Qur’anic verse: “Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is within themselves.” (Qur’an 13:11).
The practical role of Imams in community life dominated discussions.
Imam Usama Musa Mubango, IDP Coordinator for Eastern Uganda, described religious leaders as frontline mediators and counselors, especially in family disputes and youth challenges.
He said Da’wah must move beyond preaching to “offer real solutions, grounded in compassion and rooted in the Prophetic Sunnah.”
Earlier, Deputy District Kadhi Sheikh Munir Hussein Sebakaki emphasised the Prophetic teaching style clarity, gentleness and gradual instruction.
He encouraged leaders to simplify Islamic knowledge and make it accessible to all Muslims, referencing Qur’an 16:125: “Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good preaching.”
Closing the presentations, Sheikh Akram Abdullah Semakula of the Islamic Education and Research Academy (iERA) stressed the importance of character in preaching. He said many embraced Islam because of the moral conduct of Muslims.
“An Imam must be a living example of Islamic behaviour truthful, trustworthy, and morally consistent,” he told the gathering.
District Kadhi Sheikh Ramadhan Muhammad Muserengu praised the workshop’s trainers and participants, urging them to translate the lessons into practice.
He called for unity, discipline and cooperation among religious leaders, noting that a stronger Muslim community depends on collective responsibility.
The workshop concluded with certificates awarded to participating Imams.
Organizers expressed optimism that the training will improve Da’wah efforts across Butaleja, strengthen community bonds and deepen Islamic values grounded in Prophetic methodology.