Iganga, (UG):- At least 250 Muslims from various districts in the Busoga sub-region and beyond have received business tools from Ummul-Qura Foundation as a way of economic empowerment to the needy and ensuring improved household income.
The beneficiaries were also supported with food packages ahead of the Eid-Al-Adha festivities in the distribution exercise that took place on Thursday, June 13, at the Foundation’s School of Al-Hanan Orphanage Centre at Bulubandi village, Nakigo Sub County in Iganga district.
The Foundation, DailyExpress has learnt, donated 50 sewing machines, 50 sets of tools for chapati business, 30 goats, loudspeakers for preaching and over 100 packages of food assortments.
While giving out the assortments to respective beneficiaries at the function where they also launched the construction of a multi-billion dormitory structure, the country director for Ummul-Qura Foundation Sheikh Saidi Swalehe Lubanga said they aim to support the government in poverty eradication amongst the people.
He said the youths will engage in chapati business while others will rear goats to fight poverty, urging the beneficiaries to utilize the things in business activities and rearing other than selling the assortments.
“The government has programs for poverty eradication like PDM but as Ummul-Qura, we are supporting the government in such initiatives because they may not reach out to all people in the country. We have donated sewing machines, items for chapati-making business to the youths and goats to some families,” Sheikh Lubanga said.
He said that youths were mostly prioritized because they are vulnerable to the commission of crime and pledged the foundation’s commitment to supporting the government of Uganda in fighting poverty through economic empowerment.
“Youths are going to start businesses instead of robbing people along the roads. Others received food and basic necessities. Ummul-Qura will continue working with the government of Uganda in fighting poverty, especially the youths who are the foundation of the country,” Sheikh Lubanga added.
Sheikh Lubanga urged people to avoid despising jobs, stressing that prophet Muhammad emphasized doing any productive job however small it may be. He urged people with the ability to support others through giving out to the needy.
“Our religion of Islam emphasizes helping one another; every village will have less needy people. Giving does not reduce someone’s income, but it is Satan which whispers to people against giving. I call upon you to help the needy whenever Allah blesses you with money,” he said.
The NRM District Chairperson for Iganga, Hajji Walubi Abubakar commended the foundation for empowerment saying the school was started with soliciting money from well-wishers. “I thank the people who started this place, and I remember it was initiated jokingly with soliciting money from people,” Hajji Walubi said.
The spokesperson of Ummul-Qura Foundation, Haji Ali Kakande said people were given all necessary requirements for business and urged them not to sell the items but use it as capital in fighting poverty in their homes. He said the programme is funded by their friends from Saudi Arabia.
“Some people received three goats each with two female and a male, youths got a carton of wheat flour, 5 litres of cooking oil, charcoal stove and flying pan, and sewing machines, while others got packages of rice, maize flour, soap, cooking oil, among others,” Hajji Kakande said.
Speaking to beneficiaries, they appreciated the foundation and AL-Hanan orphanage centre for the packages, as well as for educating their children. On behalf of the beneficiaries, Ms Mutesi Zalika from Bugweri said they will utilize the businesses to raise school fees for their children.
“I am so grateful and we appreciate the people in charge of these donations. I urge fellow parents to continue bringing our children to Al-Hanan school and we should use these businesses given to us to raise school fees for our children,” Ms Mutesi said.
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