Kibuli Mosque

The historic Kibuli Mosque sits on Kibuli hill, which is one of the major hills of Kampala Capital City. It is a hidden gem with a long history. If you climb the minaret of the mosque you get a magnificent view of Kampala City.The mosque's history is closely linked to the history of Islam in Uganda. Islam came to Uganda in 1844.

The present mosque replaced the first one built by Prince Nooh Mobogo around 1892. Its foundation was laid on 25th November 1941 by Prince Ally Khan the son of His Highness Sir Sutan Muhamed Shay Aga Khan. The mosque was completed in 1951 and opened for service that year.

The mosque sits on 80 acres of land donated by His Highness Prince Badru Kakungulu in memory of his father Prince Nooh Mbogo.Khalifan Lukanga Kakungulu, the chairman of Kibuli Mosque said they have many plans for the mosque. "Our plans include expanding the mosque. We want to build staff houses, improve staff  benefits such giving medical insurance cover, setting up a funeral home" Other plans include removing squatters from the mosque by compensating them, putting up income generating projects to support the mosque running costs. The income generating projects can be residential houses and office premises for rent.

They also want to put a madarasa and services for new converts. Kakungulu said they want the Young Men Muslim Association to deal with some of the challenges facing the mosque. The challenges include the squatters that have built illegal  structures, cases that are in court against the squatters, the illegal sale of mosque land and the lack of proper demarcation of boundaries of the mosque land. The mosque has a number of activities running such as conducting the five day daily prayers, conducting Juma prayers, daily Darasa, offering Iftar during Ramdhan, conducting Eid Fitir and Eid Adhuha prayers and conducting marriage ceremonies.

The mosque undertakes sponsoring needy children with scholarships, maintaining security all the time. The mosque works with international and local organisations such as the Turkish Community of Uganda to achieve its objectives. The mosque engages in celebrating the birth of prophet Muhammad (PBUP) Rabil Awal Mauled. It hosts women mauled to welcome the holy month of Ramadhan. They collect and distribute zakat fitir and zakat mali. They convert people to the Islamic Faith.

Kibuli Mosque is under the leadership of the Uganda Muslim Community. The patron of the community is Prince Kassim Nakibinge Kakungulu. The governance structure of the mosque comprises of the patron at the top, followed by the board of governors and mosque committee, followed by the Imam and the staff members.

The mosque has been visited by Presidents of Uganda and those from other countries such as from Iran, Sudan, Zambia and Tanzania. Other visitors have included the present and past Kabakas, the King of Saudi Arabia and the Aga Khan.Kibuli Mosque sits atop Kibuli Hill, along with an associated nursery, primary and  secondary schools, hospital and nursing school.

The magnificent Kibuli Mosque has hosted presidents of Uganda,Tanzania, Iran, Zambia and Sudan. It has also hosted the present and past Kabakas, the King of Saudi Arabia and the Aga Khan.