Short answer: Islam in Uganda dates to the 1840s, when Arab and Swahili traders reached the Kingdom of Buganda and were welcomed by Kabaka Suuna II. His son Muteesa I embraced it. The 2002 census recorded Muslims as 12.1 percent of Ugandans, and most are Sunni.
Last updated: 29 October 2026. Some dates and figures are disputed, and we say so.
Islam in Uganda has a long history that is often overlooked by visitors. It arrived before Christianity, shaped the court of Buganda, and left landmarks you can visit today. This guide gives a short history and shows where to see it.
How Islam reached Uganda
Islam is first recorded in southern Uganda in the 1840s, in the reign of Kabaka Suuna II, when traders from the Swahili coast reached Buganda. Press accounts mark 1844 as the year it was introduced. Sudanese Muslim soldiers brought it to northern Uganda in the 1830s.
Suuna’s son Muteesa I took a deeper interest and made Islam a major religion at court.
Conflict and change in the nineteenth century
Muslims were killed under Muteesa I in 1875 to 1876 after a palace rebellion. The number is disputed: one press account says more than 500 may have died, while a 1945 book named fewer than 40. The Uganda Muslim Supreme Council describes them as heroes, not martyrs, since in Islam only God decides who is a martyr.
In 1888 to 1889 Prince Kalema briefly ruled as a Muslim kabaka. British East Africa Company agents arrived in 1890, and the balance of power turned against Islam.
Islam in Uganda today
| Detail | Fact |
|---|---|
| 2002 census | Muslims 12.1% of the population |
| Pew estimate, 2014 | 11.5% |
| Main branch | Sunni, with small Shia and Ahmadi minorities |
| Regional spread (2002) | Central 18.4%, Eastern 17.0%, Northern 8.5%, Western 4.5% |
| Distinct school | Aringa County, Yumbe District, follows the Maliki school |
Where to see Islamic heritage
The Kampala National Mosque on Old Kampala Hill is the largest mosque in East Africa. Kibuli Mosque reflects the community’s early education. There is also a mosque at Namugongo near the martyrs’ shrines. Read our mosque etiquette guide before you go, and see religious tourism in Uganda for itineraries.
Islam in Uganda FAQs
When did Islam come to Uganda?
Islam is first recorded in southern Uganda in the 1840s, when Swahili and Arab traders reached Buganda. Press accounts give 1844 for its introduction.
What percentage of Uganda is Muslim?
The 2002 census recorded 12.1 percent, and a 2014 Pew estimate gave 11.5 percent. These are older figures, so newer ones may differ.
Who was the first Kabaka to embrace Islam?
Kabaka Suuna II welcomed the traders, but there is no evidence he meant to convert. His son Muteesa I embraced Islam and taught it.
What type of Islam is practised in Uganda?
Most Ugandan Muslims are Sunni. There are small Shia and Ahmadi communities, and the Aringa area follows the Maliki school of law.
Can you plan a Muslim heritage tour in Uganda?
Yes. Request a free quote.
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About the author: Victoria Kayaga
Victoria Kayaga is a Ugandan-born safari expert and the founder of Afraeka Adventures, with over 7 years of experience in the East African tourism industry. She specializes in gorilla trekking, wildlife safaris and multi-country itineraries across Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya and Tanzania.
