Uganda National Mosque

The Uganda National Mosque formally known as Gaddafi national Mosque is the biggest mosque located on the top Old Kampala Hill about 2 kilometers from Kampala City Center. It is one of the interesting attractions that can be explored by tourist as soon as they visit Uganda in a city tour. The Uganda national mosque houses the headquarters of Uganda Muslim Supreme Council. This council takes care of all Islamic affairs in Uganda. It was completed in 2006 and officially opened in June 2007 under the name of Gaddafi National Mosque not until in 2013, when its name was changed following the death of Colonel Gaddafi as the new Libyan administration was reluctant to rehabilitate the mosque under the old name. The mosque was built by the Late Lybian President Col, Muammar Gaddafi as a donation to Uganda. The mosque is on the upper floor which is only opened on special occasions like weddings and Eid days while the offices are on the ground floor which is open at all times. All tourists are well come to visit the Gaddafi Mosque and should dress modestly. Women should wear loose fitting clothes covering to the wrist, ankle and cover their heads. One should know this that the coverings are available at the reception for those who need them and should be returned immediately after the visit. Men should wear trousers, shirts with sleeves.

The Uganda national mosque was commissioned by Idi Amin on whose orders the architect M.A. Karim drew up the plans within a month. It has large domes covered in brown mosaic and a minaret, (a prayer tower) rivaling the typical Ugandan ‘sky- scraper’. It is a symbol of religious architectural superiority. It is the second largest mosque in Africa, accommodating as much as 200,000 worshipers. It offers breath-taking city wide views, religious artistry, beautiful Islamic embroidery on the inside of the dome and wonderful architectural elements that pay tribute to a great deity. It is led by Mufti sheikh Shaban Ramathan Mubajje, there are 5 daily prayers are conducted every day.

There is a lot to see, hear, touch, excite for any visitor like it is with any other piece of art. A half ring that arches the main entrance of the mosque stair hangs in the sky like a mosaic rainbow. While on the ascent to sky, the main entrance peers over the worshiper in a distance hence setting the place for worship. Don’t forget to leave your footwear at the entrance and climb up the minaret is a treat.

There are well trained guides at the mosque that offer to take you around. Foreigners are charged 10000 Ugandan shillings for viewing the inside of the mosque and going to the minaret with a guide however it’s totally free for Ugandans. Don’t forget to leave your footwear at the entrance and climb up the minaret.