East African Gazette
Old Kampala
Bernadette Bazirake, the Senior Tourism Officer from the Ministry of Tourism, recently visited the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) headquarters in Old Kampala.
Accompanied by a filming team, their purpose was to document historic sites in Uganda.
Bazirake emphasized that these sites are being documented to capture the data of the early natives who were martyred for adopting foreign religions, specifically Islam and Christianity.
The team’s focus was on filming exercises at key historic sites such as the National Mosque, as well as locations that were taken by the Arabs and Swahili merchants from the East African Coast to the shores of the Indian Ocean.
This initiative is a collaboration between the Mufti of Uganda, the National Management Committee from the Ministry of Tourism, and the Inter-Religious Council of Uganda (IRCU).
The project aims to document all historic sites in order to promote and develop religious tourism within Uganda and beyond.
Filming for this project began on March 11, 2024, starting with the three martyrs’ sites: Namugongo, Munyonyo (where the first Arabs from Oman and white Christian missionaries docked on the shores of Lake Victoria), and Mulungu on the Lake Victoria shore in Entebbe. The team’s goal is to trace the journey of these early settlers from Tanganyika (Tanzania) to Buganda Kingdom and other parts of the country, gathering valuable information along the way.
Nateete Mosque holds historical importance as it was the second mosque built in the area by King Mutesa, with the construction overseen by Yahaya Ssekyeru, a Muslim convert, and Mugema, the head of the Buganda Nkima (Monkey Clan).
The site is also known for the tragic event in 1888 when sixty Arabs and native Muslims were burned alive during religious conflicts.
Additionally, other significant locations such as Wamala Tombs, Kasubi Mosque, Kijungute in Kyankwanzi District, Mende Kalema Royal Tombs, Kibuli Mosque, and Kawempe Mbogo are to be documented.
Mufti Mubajje expressed his support for the initiative, emphasizing that it will help people to learn about the religious history of Uganda and foster solidarity.
He also presented Bazirake with a copy of the UMSC Constitution.
The Deputy Mufti Sheikh Muhammad Ali Waiswa, the UMSC Secretary-General Hadji Abbas Ssekyanzi Muluubya, and various other departmental heads were present in the meeting.