Christians help renovate mosque in Uganda

More than 100 Ugandan Christians living in the US and other countries have raised about 13 million Ugandan shillings ($3,600; £2,500) to help renovate a dilapidated mosque in a village in Uganda's central region, the state owned New Vision newspaper reports

Geoffrey Nsereko Simple, the chairman of the organizing committee of Uganda North American Association, said he decided to raise the money when he visited Namaiba village, where he was born, last year.

"I was driving around the village when I saw the mosque in a terrible state. This moved me and I promised myself to do something for my community in Uganda after consulting the mosque leaders on what was needed," Mr Nsereko is quoted as saying. 

He said he had to convince people to donate towards the mosque, which was built about 80 years ago. 

“Everyone expressed concern why me, a non-Muslim, was the one leading the campaign to revamp a mosque. They always asked me: 'Why not it do for a church. You are a Christian',” Mr Nsereko told New Vision.

Samuel Senfuma, a Ugandan based in Boston, welcomed his fund-raising effort.

“This is rare - finding a Christian building a mosque. He has challenged all of us. It is a good gesture which we must all emulate,” he is quoted as saying.

BBC News