Old Kampala– The Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) has strengthened its partnership with the Muslim Parliamentary Caucus following a high-level engagement aimed at fostering closer collaboration on legislation, socio-economic development and the welfare of the Muslim community.
The meeting, the first between the UMSC leadership and the 12th Parliament’s Muslim Parliamentary Caucus, attracted 29 Members of Parliament, while 15 sent apologies. It was attended by Vice President Maj. (Rtd.) Jessica Alupo, Third Deputy Prime Minister Lukia Nakadama, Minister for Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs Minsa Kabanda, senior government officials and the top leadership of UMSC.
Speaking during the engagement, Mufti of Uganda, His Eminence Dr. Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje, said the meeting was convened to establish a strategic partnership between UMSC and Muslim legislators in advancing the interests of the Muslim community.
The Mufti traced the history of Islam in Uganda, highlighting its survival during the colonial era, the challenges of sectarian divisions, the formation of UMSC and the institutional reforms that have shaped the council over the years.
He thanked the Vice President for attending the meeting and requested her to convey UMSC’s appreciation to President Yoweri Museveni for his continued support to the Muslim community.
Sheikh Mubaje also pledged closer cooperation between UMSC and the government in implementing development programmes. He further appealed to government to organize a one-week induction retreat for UMSC leaders at the National Leadership Institute (NALI), Kyankwanzi, to deepen their understanding of Uganda’s socio-economic transformation agenda.
Earlier, UMSC Secretary General Hadji Abbas Muluubya Ssekyanzi presented a report on the council’s ongoing programmes, including the newly developed UMSC 360 digital platform, and called for stronger collaboration between the council and Muslim legislators.
Deputy Chairperson of the Muslim Parliamentary Caucus, Bumali Mpindi, presented an eight-page framework outlining key areas of cooperation between the caucus and UMSC.
In her remarks, Vice President Jessica Alupo commended the Mufti and the UMSC leadership for maintaining stability and institutional growth over the past 25.
She praised the council for promoting religious moderation, tolerance and responsible citizenship, particularly among young people, and acknowledged the progress it has made in strengthening institutional governance and developing sustainable sources of income to support its programmes.
Addressing Muslim Members of Parliament, Alupo urged them to work closely with UMSC in identifying and advancing the legislative priorities of the Muslim community. She pointed to the global halal industry as one of the major economic opportunities Uganda should position itself to benefit from through increased exports to Muslim-majority countries.
She concluded by calling on Ugandans to build strong institutions rather than personalities, promote partnerships instead of divisions, create opportunities rather than grievances, and work together to ensure a peaceful, prosperous and inclusive Uganda.
The meeting was attended by the Mufti’s deputies, Sheikh Muhammad Ali Waiswa and Dr. Sheikh Hafiz Muhammad Harunah Bukenya, UMSC National Chairperson Prof. Muhammadi Lubega Kisambira, Deputy Secretary General for Finance and Administration Counsel Hajji Muhammad Ali Aluma, Deputy Secretary General for Planning and Development Abdu-Razaq Arinda, members of the UMSC Executive, departmental heads, Regional Assistants to the Mufti and District Kadhis.
