His Eminence Dr. Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje, the Mufti of Uganda, has urged Muslim parents to prioritize the well-being, parental care, and rights of their children. These fatherly remarks were part of his keynote address at the wedding ceremony of Ms. Hilya Nabirye, daughter of Sheikh Hussein Mwase, the Kamuli Muslim District Representative to the UMSC General Assembly and Director of Emirates College. The event was held on Saturday, December 28, 2024, at Kamuli Municipal Council.
During the ceremony, Sheikh Hussein Mwase, under Mufti Mubaje’s guidance, formally handed over his daughter to Dr. Siraje Kigenyi, a trained pharmacist working at Walukuba Health Facility in Jinja City.
In his speech, Mufti Mubaje quoted Prophet Muhammad’s teachings: “Marriage is my tradition and should be observed by whoever follows me.” He emphasized the role of marriage in stabilizing and unifying families and communities, while also highlighting its spiritual blessings, as Almighty Allah bestows favors on spouses and their offspring.
The Mufti also discussed parental responsibilities toward children, underscoring the importance of giving children meaningful names at birth, teaching them the Holy Qur’an, and supporting them in choosing suitable life partners when they reach adulthood.
He advised the newlyweds to care for one another with love and patience while warning against the harmful effects of excessive social media usage, particularly platforms like TikTok. Citing recent research, he noted that addiction to such platforms has been identified as a leading cause of marriage breakups and domestic violence.
Mufti Mubaje also took the opportunity to congratulate the Ugandan Muslim community on the successful conclusion of the UMSC @ 50+ anniversary celebrations. He praised Sheikh Hussein Mwase, his longtime childhood friend, for raising his children well, including the bride. Additionally, he congratulated Muslims in the Busoga region and the family of Sheikh Salim Bukyanagandi on the appointment of his daughter Ms. Sharifa Buzeeki as the Executive Director of Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA). “We pray for Ms. Sharifa Buzeeki, asking Allah to ease her task of managing Kampala’s complex affairs,” he remarked.
Concluding his speech, the Mufti prayed for blessings upon the newlyweds and their families.
Prominent figures present at the wedding included His Eminence Sheikh Muhammad Ali Waiswa (Deputy Mufti), His Eminence Dr. Sheikh Hafidh Muhammad Harunah Bukenya (Second Deputy Mufti), Dr. Sheikh Muhammad Hussein Bbowa (Busoga Regional Assistant to the Mufti), Sheikh Hamid Sserwadda Busungu (Kampala Regional Assistant), H.E. Zaake Kibeedi (Ugandan Ambassador to the UAE), UMSC National Executive members. Hon. members of the General Assembly, National Management committee members, District kadhis, county sheikhs, members of the business community, and other dignitaries.
