The Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) has announced the passing of veteran Islamic scholar and preacher Sheikh Abdu-Kadri Mbogo, whose decades of service to the Muslim community earned him widespread respect across Uganda.
In a condolence message issued on behalf of the Muslim fraternity, the Mufti of Uganda, Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje, described the late Sheikh Mbogo as a devoted servant of Islam who dedicated his life to preaching, guiding believers, and promoting the teachings of the Holy Quran and Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him).
Sheikh Mbogo began his religious service in the 1950s and went on to serve as the main preacher at the UMSC National Mosque in Old Kampala. He also served as the Kadhi of Kampala Muslim District from 1972 until his retirement ten years ago.
Paying tribute to the deceased, Mufti Mubaje praised Sheikh Mbogo's character and unwavering commitment to the Muslim community.
"Sheikh Mbogo has served the Muslim community wholeheartedly with total dedication and in the same way has left an outstanding legacy as a very principled and loyal person, as well as one of the founding members of the Democratic Party (DP), Uganda's oldest political party," the Mufti said.
He further described the late cleric as a pious Muslim who lived an exemplary life marked by humility, wisdom, and integrity.
"He was soft-spoken, humble, wise, and a person who practised and mirrored the divine messages he preached from the Holy Quran and the sayings of Prophet Muhammad throughout his decades of service," Mufti Mubaje added.
The Mufti dedicated special prayers for the soul of the deceased and prayed for Allah's mercy upon him as he returns to his Creator.
He also directed the UMSC Secretary for Religious Affairs to organize funeral prayers at the National Mosque in Old Kampala shortly after the Thuhur congregational prayers.
Mufti Mubaje called upon Muslim faithful to attend the prayers in large numbers to pay their final respects to the departed religious leader.
He prayed for Sheikh Mbogo's family, urging them to remain united, patient, and steadfast during this difficult period of mourning.