Museveni hails Muslim council

President Museveni has hailed Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) for establishing regional administrations.
Mr Museveni, who was represented by Third Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for East African Affairs, Mr Kirunda Kivejinja, at the installation of Sheikh Abdulkarim Katamba as regional Kadhi for Ankole-Kigezi at Nyamitanga Division, Mbarara Municipality, on Wednesday, said the move is a significant development towards creating an organised leadership.

“For any Institution to thrive, discipline, unity and proper coordination of different units must be prioritised. I commend the UMSC for creating regional administrations to effectively manage the affairs of the Muslim religion,” Mr Museveni said.
He added: “I call upon the new leadership of the new Ankole-Kigezi regional administration to execute the noble task of leadership in a responsible and honorable manner. Government will continue extending support to the Muslim community.”

The Muslim leadership has created nine regional administrations headed by regional kadhis. Eight regional kadhis have already been installed.
The President said the National Resistance Movement government believes in protecting religious rights of all people. He advised Muslim leaders to join the NRM government in preaching the gospel of transforming 68 per cent of the families from subsistence agriculture to commercial agriculture.

The Mufti of Uganda, Sheikh Shaban Ramathan Mubajje, said for the very first time, he had seen Muslims of Ankole and Kigezi united. He asked them to keep the spirit.
“You have shown the Islamic spirit of working together. I have always said our religion stands for unity, loving each other and togetherness in cooperating with people from other religious denominations through the Inter-Religious Council of Uganda. Let’s accept every leadership that God choses for us,” Mufti Mubajje said.
Mubajje said those aspiring to become district kadhis and regional kadhis have to be university graduates.

He, however, said they invited President Museveni in all the functions for installation of regional kadhis but he delegated.
“I want take this opportunity to tell the chief guest that there is the eastern region. For this last region, we have stopped the inauguration on December 7, we want the President to be there,” Sheik Mubajje said.
The senior presidential advisor, Mr Don Wanyama, said: “It is regrettable the President did not make it to the function, however, he was respectful enough to delegate. The President holds the Muslim community in high regard just like he does to other religions.”

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