Kampala, Uganda: Vice President Maj. (Rtd) Jessica Alupo has pledged to champion key issues affecting Uganda’s Muslim community after meeting leaders of the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) and members of the Parliamentary Muslim Caucus at the council’s headquarters in Old Kampala.
The high-level engagement, held on Thursday, July 09, focused on strengthening collaboration between UMSC and Muslim legislators to advance policy, legislative, and socio-economic priorities affecting the Muslim Ummah.
Among the key issues discussed were the recognition of Idad and Thanawi Islamic education certificates within Uganda’s formal education framework, proposals concerning Muslim public holidays, and concerns over provisions in the proposed Food and Agricultural Regulatory Authority Bill currently before Parliament.
The meeting also resolved to establish a joint technical committee comprising officials from UMSC and the Parliamentary Muslim Caucus to follow up on the implementation of resolutions reached during the discussions.
Addressing the gathering, Vice President Alupo said President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni had been briefed about the meeting and had sent his greetings to the Muslim leadership.
“I have been here on many occasions in the office of the Mufti to discuss issues of national importance. I briefed the President of the Republic of Uganda yesterday that I would be here this afternoon, and he sent you greetings and asked me to return with a report of what I will find here,” Alupo said.
She assured the Muslim leaders that their concerns would be communicated directly to the Head of State. “I promised the Mufti that all the messages that have been articulated here will be relayed to him.”
The Vice President also called on Muslim legislators to work together in promoting national development. “We shall work together as members of the 12th Parliament and we shall deliver in this Kisanja, no more sleep, no more corruption,” she added.
Uganda’s Grand Mufti, His Eminence Dr Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje, reflected on the transformation of the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council over the past two decades, saying the institution had made significant strides in strengthening its socio-economic foundation.
“After two decades now, Your Excellency, we are here. We have this National Mosque. Some of you may be coming here for the first time, but I request that you go around and see what has taken place.”
He said the council has expanded its institutional footprint through strategic investments. “Muslims have got now their own seat with the title in their name, with the hospital, the commercial block, with the direct income, with the TV station, with the radio station, with the university. I can now tell you that the council is on track. Now it has got a foundation.”
UMSC National Chairperson Prof. Dr Muhammad Lubega Kisambira said the council’s 2023–2033 Strategic Plan provides a roadmap for sustainable socio-economic transformation of the Muslim community.
“The UMSC Strategic Plan 2023–2033 is a product of this council, a 10-year strategic plan that is aimed at improving the socio-economic development of the Ummah and the Ugandan life in a model that is self-sustaining.”
The strategic plan focuses on strengthening education, health, economic empowerment, institutional development, resource mobilisation and community welfare across the country.
Speaking after the meeting, UMSC officials said the discussions centred on building stronger cooperation between the council and Muslim legislators to ensure issues affecting Muslims receive greater attention in Parliament.
Among the priority areas identified were: recognition of Idad and Thanawi certificates within Uganda’s national education system, engagement on the proposed Food and Agricultural Regulatory Authority Bill, consideration of proposals relating to Muslim public holidays, and strengthening institutional collaboration between UMSC and the Parliamentary Muslim Caucus.
The meeting agreed to establish a joint technical team to coordinate implementation of these priorities and provide regular updates to both institutions.
The meeting attracted Muslim Members of Parliament from both the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) and opposition parties, underscoring a shared commitment to advancing issues affecting the Muslim community beyond partisan politics.
Among those present were Salim Kiseka (Bukomansimbi North), Sarah Namulondo (Buyende Woman MP), Melissa Avako (Yumbe Woman MP), Hasfa Nuria (Kotido Woman MP), Mastula Namatovu (Kamuli Municipality), Asha Mafabi Nabulo (Sironko Woman MP), Khemis Mzaid (Arua Central Division), Ismael Ali Ogama (Lower Madi), Karim Musa (Aringa North), Noah Musa (Koboko North), Abdallah Kiwanuka (Mukono North), Ismail Lubega Kaka Uthuman (Kakuuto County), Ibrahim Aisu (Pallisa County), Muhammad Kibedi Nsegumire (Mityana North), Hajj Wandera Sadala (Bugweri County), Hajj Abdul Bisaso (Kassanda South), Hajjat Minsa Kabanda (Kampala Central), Abed-Nasser Mudyobole (Iganga Municipality), Hassan Kaps Fungaroo (Obongi Constituency) and Hajj Bumaali Mpindi, the National Representative for Persons with Disabilities.
The engagement marked one of the first formal consultative meetings between the newly constituted 12th Parliament’s Muslim Parliamentary Caucus and the leadership of the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council, with both sides expressing optimism that closer cooperation will help address long-standing concerns affecting Uganda’s Muslim community.
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