Gov’t to support Muslim programs as UMSC chairman gets new car

KAMPALA, UGANDA: The Mufti of Uganda His Eminence Sheikh Shaban Ramathan Mubaje has expressed appreciation to the government of Uganda for supporting various Muslim programs nationwide among others including money for the completion of renovation works at the National mosque in the national budget.

The Mufti was on Tuesday having a meeting with the Vice president of Uganda Rtd Maj Jessica Alupo when she paid a courtesy visit to the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) headquarters in Kampala at his invitation. The meeting included among others, the leadership of UMSC.

“The mosque had been in a dilapidated state for years, and with the help of some friends, we managed to begin the renovation work. However, the budget required to complete the work was too high. We completed the first phase. We are happy that the government has included funds in the national budget for the works. We should use it to do more work in the next phase,” he said.

However, the UMSC Chairperson Prof Dr Muhamadi Lubega Kisambira told the vice president that the majority of Muslim leaders in the various structures of UMSC are newly elected and need orientation to do their work.

“We have planned orientation meetings for members of the General Assembly and various committees on their responsibilities and duties to improve their service. We also expect to orient them on various government poverty and social transformation programs including Skilling,” he said. He asked the Gov’t to consider extending support to UMSC for capacity building among them.

He also highlighted the need for the Gov’t to support Muslims in the fight against poverty and social transformation programs such as Parish Development Model(PDM). Prof. Kisambira Muhammad called for collaboration with Muslim Scholars in support of such programs to be in line with the Sharia- Islamic law.

The leaders also highlighted the need to improve Muslim schools, the introduction of vocational training institutes and health centres, as well as the need to utilize the vast amount of land owned by over 15,000 mosques across the country to eradicate poverty.

“We request the Gov’t to support in identifying partners who could help us to develop this land to improve our community,” he said before noting that land left unutilized is land lost.

Prof. Kisambira also noted that UMSC knows that some partners who can provide funding but they need Gov’t recommendations to acquire the support.

“We ask you to support us when we approach for support in this line,” he said. Earlier on, Hon. Sophia Safina Kenyangi, the National Chairperson of the Muslim Women’s Council had an opportunity to make a presentation on Muslim Women’s affairs.

In her response, Her Excellency Vice President Jessica Alupo assured her hosts that their requests would be considered and promised to work with them to develop social transformation programs that cater for the needs of the Muslim community. She urged them to continue engaging with the government.

Rt Maj Alupo later presented to Prof Dr Lubega a brand new Land Cruiser Prado to ease his movement in the execution of his duties before having a guided tour of the National Mosque.

The car delivered by Alupo was pledged by President Museveni last month through the vice president at the thanksgiving ceremony for Dr Lubega upon succeeding as the new chairman of UMSC, at a function which was organized at his home in Luuka district.

The meeting was attended by among others, His Eminence Sheikh Abdallah Ibrahim Ssemambo Tamusuza, the Deputy Mufti of Uganda, His Eminence Sheikh Muhammad Ali Waiswa, the 2nd Deputy Mufti, Hon. Ramathan Mugalu, the UMSC Secretary General, Mr Muhammad Ali Aluma.

Others were the Secretary for Social Services/ Acting Administrative Secretary, Mr Sinan Nsenye, the Acting Secretary for Finance & Planning, Sheikhat Radhiyya Namakula, the Secretary for Women & Children’s Affairs, Sheikh Bakhit Cucu, the Secretary for Education and Dr Ebraheem Ssali, the Principal Islamic University College-ICUC.