Kampala– The President of the Muslim community of Burkina Faso, Al Haj Moussa Koanda, paid a courtesy visit to His Eminence Dr. Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje, the Mufti of Uganda, at his office on Sunday, December 21, 2025.
Al Haj Koanda was accompanied by other high-profile dignitaries, including Prof. Salisu Shehu, Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Educational Research Development Council and former Vice Chancellor of Istiqamah University; Mr. Swaibu Dragule, Coordinator of International Relations; and Mr. Saim Celik, a Turkish national—both senior staff members at the Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU).
Also present at the meeting were senior staff members of the UMSC-based Islamic Call University College (ICUC), led by Dr. Abdallah Edris Serwadda, the Vice Chancellor.
In his remarks, Al Haj Moussa Koanda expressed his admiration for the high level of organization at the UMSC headquarters, describing it as rare in an African context. He emphasized his desire to initiate close cooperation between Ugandan Muslims and those of Burkina Faso. “We need to organize ourselves and see how best we can work together as brothers. In fact, there is a lot we can learn from you,” he remarked in French mixed with Arabic phrases.
Prof. Salisu also praised Ugandan Muslims for their organization and echoed the call for collaboration between Muslims in West and East Africa. “We need to strengthen the bond between us through education,” he said.
In his welcoming remarks, the Mufti provided a brief background of the UMSC since its inception in 1972. He highlighted several achievements, including the constitutional amendment sponsored by the Government of Uganda, which introduced Muslim women and youth into the leadership structure. He welcomed the idea of fostering closer cooperation between Muslims in West and East Africa, noting that the African Forum for Muslim Councils, headquartered in Uganda, provides a solid base for such collaboration.
The Mufti also highlighted UMSC’s outreach to people of other faiths, including the formation of the Interreligious Council of Uganda (IRCU) to promote shared values such as education, health, poverty alleviation, and peacebuilding. He further mentioned the establishment of the African Council of Religious Leaders – Religions for Peace (ACRL-RfP), aimed at fostering mutual understanding, respect, and cooperation among faith groups.
Both sides held cordial discussions covering various topics, particularly education, and resolved to engage in more interactions in the near future through exchange visits.
Al Haj Moussa Koanda was in Uganda to attend the 34th IUIU Graduation Ceremony.
