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President Museveni contributes UGX 2 billion to Muslim SACCOs

9 October 2024, 2:48 pm

By Ronald Ssemagonja

Since Uganda gained its independence in 1962, Muslim have been coming up with several leadership entities to make sure that Muslim the challenges of Muslim women are solved but non of these several entities have given them space to the top leadership as per Muslim community is concerned. It is against this background that yesterday at Old Kampala playgrounds, Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) held a inauguration of National Women Muslim Council which attracted many Muslim women from different parts of the Country.

Sophia Kanyangi Safina became the first woman to be sworn in as the National Women Muslim Council chairperson. The ceremony was led by Sheikh, Were Abubaker, the independent UMSC Electoral Commission Chairman. The leaders who were sworn in were over over 20. Uganda Moslem Supreme Council has 78 districts and 10 regions and each of them will be represented. The theme of the day was “The Role of Women leaders in Socioeconomic Transformation.” This is aimed at encouraging Muslim women leaders to spearhead government projects like Growth Opportunities and Productivity for Women Entrepreneurs (GROW), Emyooga, etc and make sure that Muslim women benefit too.

The President of Uganda, Yoweri Museveni, who was the chief guest, congratulated Uganda Muslim Supreme Council for the developments they have been able to achieve. “Today is a historic moment that I have attended Muslim women’s conference and witnessed the swearing in of their first ever Women’s Council leadership. I congratulate Sofia Kanyangi Safina on her election as president.” he said. Museveni continued to say that the time is now to fight poverty and also raised concern regarding hindering women from participating in leadership “It’s time to question why women are often left out of leadership roles. Even in Christian communities, women can’t serve as priests. We must recognize the essential role women play. Even Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, came into this world through a woman. The money we’re giving you now, you pay an interest of sixty thousand Uganda Shillings (Shs 60,000), after two years. This is done because of the inflation but its not interest because Government can’t add interest on the money it gives it’s citizens for development” he confirmed. In conclusion the president tasked the elected leaders to Mobilize their people to use the parish development Model (PDM) money and other Governments given money because it doesn’t contradict any law governing Muslims in Uganda.” He contributed two billion Uganda Shillings (Shs. 2 billion) to their SACCOs.

The Mufti Of Uganda, Sheikh Shaban Ramathan Mubajje asked the elected leaders to play their roles well and never to defile the constitution governing them as well as the Muslim laws. Mubajje requested the president to help them in the fighting of illegal institutions that take people for Hajji, etc and end up damaging the image of the Muslim community in Uganda and the country at large. The elected chairperson promised to work for the good of the Muslim community. She however, requested government to always support them in all ways to ease their roles.
Shan Naggawa one of the persons who gave her comments, commended the president for freedom of worship. “Muslims like any other religious people in Uganda, thank you Mr president for the freedom of worship we enjoy in this country during your leadership. This has never existed before” she said. The ceremony was attended by the Vice President, H.E. Jessica Alupo, Deputy Mufti, Minister for Kampala and Metropolitan Affairs Hajjat Minsa Kabanda, among others.

President Museveni having a light moment with Muslim women.
Ms Sophia Kanyangi Safina swearing in.(Courtesy photo)