His Eminence Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje, the Mufti of Uganda has praised the late Haj Nsereko Mutumba the former UMSC Spokesperson and Kayunga Resident District Commissioner-RDC. Haji Mutumba  passed on Wednesday at Rubaga Hospital and was buried at his ancestral home in Mugongo in Kyengere town council in Wakiso local Gov’t District.

Addressing mourners who turned for Haji Mutumba’s funeral prayers at the National Mosque at Old Kampala Wednesday afternoon, Mufti Mubaje revealed that he first met the deceased in 1995 during his tenure as the Kadhi Bugisu Muslim district. 

“Haj Nsereko rolled out social transformation programs under his NGO known as Foundation for Islamic Development – FIDU in Mbale. I realized we shared the same ideas. And it was when we resolved to work together. I later came to know that Haj Nsereko was close to Hon. Minister Mululi Mukasa whom he invited to officiate development programs,” Sheikh Mubaje recounted.

He noted that after taking over the office of the Mufti, he spotted Haj Nsereko as a comrade in the struggle that was aimed at uplifting the image of the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council-UMSC and appointed him UMSC Spokesperson. The task was challenging but he managed to stand firm which enabled him to deliver as expected with distinction coupled with passion and dedication amidst all lies peddled by divisive elements within the Muslim Community,” he said.

Adding that, “Mutumba has been writing about unsung heroes but he also qualifies to be an unsung Muslim hero.” Mufti used the same occasion to relay part of the speech he delivered during the just concluded General Assembly, saying that he was delighted to have realized most of his dreams for UMSC after a long journey accompanied by people like the late Hajj Mutumba.

“Flush back 22 years ago and compare with what is at this hill today. The hill was surrounded by bushes 22 years ago but today we have our headquarters, a mosque, commercial complex, radio and television, and University,” he said. He added “today we don’t have to borrow money for the salaries of my staff. We are able to pay. And we are not talking 5 or 15 million Shillings, we are talking about real money.”

He urged Muslims to participate fully in the forthcoming UMSC national elections and elect competent leaders for the purposes of strengthening Muslim unity and development. The third deputy prime minister, Hon. Lukia Nakadama Isaga, who represented the government at the funeral prayers praised the late Mutumba as a hardworking and respectable gentleman. 

The others present were Hon. Wilson Mululi Mukasa, the Minister of Public Service, Hon. Haj Haruna Kyeyune Kasolo, the State Minister in charge of Micro Finance, Hon. Muhammad Mbabali, the former MP, Residence City/District Commissioners, their deputies, and senior security officers.

In attendance were His Eminence Sheikh Abdallah Ibrahim Ssemambo Tamusuza, the deputy Mufti, His Eminence Sheikh Muhammad Ali Waiswa, and the 2nd Deputy Mufti, Hon. Ramathan Mugalu, the UMSC Secretary General, Ambassador Dr. Ahmad Muhammad Kisule, UMSC Management Members, Regional Assistants of the Mufti, District Kadhis, business tycoons, and prominent Sheikhs, among others 

Thereafter the late Haj Mutumba was laid to rest shortly before 7pm.

Who was Haj Nsereko Mutumba?

He was born to the late Haj Idi Nsereko of Mitooma Village, Lugagga, Bukanga county, Isingiro District  Western Uganda in 1952.  He began his primary education at Kyalumbabura Primary School. He went to St. Kaggwa Secondary School in Bushenyi District and later joined the National College of Commerce ( MUBS) where he obtained a Diploma in Marketing. He went on to acquire various certificates in journalism that enabled him to present development programs on Radio Uganda from the 1970s – 1990s as well as deputize his uncle the late Haj Ramadhan Ssebuliba, then a rich Cattle trader who was in charge of the City abattoir on Jinja Road right from the colonial era until his death in 1980s.