Museveni lauds UMSC for supporting govt programmes, wants more youths involved

Entebbe, (UG):- President Yoweri Museveni has commended the Muslim leaders for support towards government programs and called for more youths to get involved in constructive work.

The call was made during his meeting with the leadership of the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) and the supreme delegation was led by the Mufti of Uganda Sheikh Shaban Ramathan Mubajje.

The meeting that took place on Wednesday at state house Entebbe was attended by the UMSC Chairman Prof Dr Muhamadi Lubega Kisambira, Sheikh Obeid Kamulegeya, UMSC Secretary General Hajji Abbas Ssekyanzi Muluubya and Hajjat Sophia Safina Kenyangi, who is the chairperson of the National Muslim Women Council.

In his communication during the meeting, President Museveni acknowledged the challenges faced by some youths, including those associated with the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) and he emphasized the importance of providing them with a solid foundation and direction in life.

“Those young people from the family must get a direction of how to survive in life,” the President said before highlighting the need for young people to learn essential life skills and develop a strong work ethic.

He expressed concern that some young boys, particularly those in ADF who are predominantly Muslim, lack the knowledge and understanding of how to lead productive lives and he emphasized that the banditry in Congo is not the only path to survival, stressing the need to guide youths towards more positive and constructive avenues.

“They don’t know how to live, they think the only way to live is being a bandit in Congo,” Museveni said, reiterating the significance of churches and mosques in promoting a culture of wealth creation and also stressed the need for religious institutions to emphasize the importance of economic empowerment and self-sufficiency among their followers.

The UMSC delegation appreciated the president for the generous financial support towards various Islamic activities, pointing out the constitutional review and the UMSC elections acknowledging his instrumental role in facilitating the processes.

The Mufti Sheikh Mubajje commended the president for his commitment to unity, security and socio-economic transformation for both Muslims and Ugandans as a whole, asserting that the Muslim fraternity has embraced the Parish Development Model (PDM) program.

“This commitment reflects the UMSC’s dedication to promoting socio-economic development and improving the lives of Muslims and Ugandans at large,” Mufti Mubajje said during the meeting.

Sheikh Mubajje further revealed to the president that UMSC plans to launch a comprehensive coffee/ cocoa planting initiative across the ten Muslim regions in Uganda with the aim of supporting the government’s efforts in eradicating poverty.

The UMSC intends to commence the initiative in August this year, with the target of planting at least 200 acres in each region and Sheikh Mubajje requested government support in the regions to ensure the smooth operation of the coffee/ cocoa planting initiative.

Sheikh Mubajje requested President Museveni’s support for the Union of East African Muslim Councils Conference scheduled for September this year, which will foster collaboration and cooperation among Muslim Councils in the East African region. They also sought support for the Uganda Women Muslim Council function in October 2024, aimed at empowering and uplifting Muslim Women in Uganda.

The UMSC leadership took the chance and invited the president to be the chief guest at their forthcoming “UMSC @ 50 events” that will take place in December this year, anticipating that it will draw at least 2,000 attendees including more than 40 Muftis from around the world.

Meanwhile, President Museveni pledged his support for the activities and initiatives throughout the year that were presented by the UMSC in the meeting, before affirming his commitment to collaborating with the UMSC and other religious organizations to foster unity and socio-economic development.