The Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) has received praise from Haji Faruk Kirunda, the Deputy Press Secretary to H.E. the President, for initiating a self-sustaining project valued at 700 million shillings that aims to increase the incomes of common Muslims and other community members.

Haji Kirunda delivered these comments on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, at the UMSC headquarters at a meeting called to assess a field report created by a technical team.

This team was entrusted with evaluating the preparedness of several working committees set up to guarantee the projects’ seamless execution throughout the nation’s 10 Muslim regions.

Haji Kirunda stated his happiness with the project and pointed out that, although the UMSC depends entirely on money generated internally, it supplements government efforts to reduce poverty, such as the Parish Development Model (PDM).

“It’s very encouraging to see that the Council has been able to raise its own money and start such revolutionary projects without depending on any funding from donors, given the ongoing changes I’ve seen here and the stories from His Eminence, the Mufti, about the difficult situation at the UMSC a few years ago,” Haji Kirunda said.

Additionally, he exhorted Muslim leaders at all levels to use media platforms like talk programs on radio and television to dispel false information and draw attention to the accomplishments of the UMSC. In order to further develop these initiatives and benefit all citizens, he promised to bring the programs to the President’s notice and get extra government funding.

The UMSC National Chairperson, Hon. Prof. Dr. Muhammadi Lubega Kisambira, opened the meeting by giving some background information on the projects. He said they were timely, especially in bringing ordinary Muslims—women and young people in particular—to the realization of the significance of earning a living for their families.

He highlighted the development of the UMSC into an autonomous organization with distinct financing streams to support its operations, and he exhorted all participating officers to exhibit a high degree of devotion, passion, and dedication to guarantee the accomplishment of these projects.

The UMSC Secretary General, Hon. Hadji Abbas Muluubya Ssekyanzi, introduced Moses Kipkemboi, a national of Kenya who specializes in using waste to produce briquette charcoal in collaboration with Hydrogen & Methanol Ltd.

Since the project will be carried out in the Muslim area of Kampala, Mr. Kipkemboi gave a brief explanation of the briquette-making procedure and the equipment used.

Hon. Arinda Abdu-Razaq, the project coordinator and deputy secretary general in charge of development and planning, then gave the field report. The areas that are prepared and designated for the implementation of the proposed projects were described in detail in the report, including the total area of land in the 10 Muslim regions.

Following the discussion, nine of the ten Regional Assistants in attendance were given the chance to offer their opinions and further information.

A number of resolutions were enacted, among them the following: – The procurement and distribution of agricultural inputs should start right away.

• Ongoing preparations in the area.
• Improved cooperation amongst working committees, regions, districts, and UMSC Headquarters.

His Eminence Dr. Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje, Uganda’s Mufti, adjourned the meeting by recalling the appalling conditions that existed when his administration took office in 2000. Mufti Mubaje described how Old Kampala Hill was characterized by an incomplete mosque edifice with a leaning minaret on the point of collapse, and how the Council’s main organs were absent. Many staff had also gone without pay.

Despite these obstacles, Mufti Mubaje emphasized the noteworthy accomplishments made possible, such as the ongoing construction projects at the UMSC headquarters in multiple regions and the proposed income-generating Self-Sustainable Projects. Subsequently, he formally initiated the implementation process for the projects mentioned.

The Deputy Mufti, His Eminence Sheikh Muhammad Ali Waiswa, the Deputy Secretary General in charge of Finance and Administration, the National Muslim Youth Council’s Hon. Habib Mustafa, the National Muslim Women Council’s Hon. Sophie Safina Kenyangi, and other department heads were also present.