The Vice President of Uganda Rtd Gen. Jessica Alupo on Tuesday assured the Muslim Community of the government’s commitment in supporting Muslim programs nationwide.
During her visit to the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council-UMSC headquarters Tuesday morning on the invitation of the Mufti, Sheikh Ramadhan Mubaje, Alupo promised to work with them to develop social transformation programs that cater to the needs of the Muslim community.
In the same vein, she also encouraged the Muslim community to make use of government programs in place that are meant to alleviate communities from poverty. She mentioned ongoing programs like the Parish Development Model, (PDM) , Emyooga, youth livelihood program among others.
The Vice President called on religious leaders present to not only moblize but also encourage followers to benefit from the programs.
Alupo also handed over a brand new Land Cruiser Prado to the Chairperson of the UMSC, Prof. Kisambira Muhammad, at the Gaddaffi National Mosque.
Addressing the vice president in his office, the Mufti extended his gratitude to the government for supporting various Muslim programs nationwide and including money for the completion of the renovation works at the Gaddafi National Mosque in the national budget.
“The mosque had been in a dilapidated state for years, and with the help of some friends, we managed to begin the renovation work. However, the budget required to complete the work was too high. We completed the first phase. We are happy that the government has included money in the national budget for the works. We should use to it to do more work in the next phase,” he said.
Prof. Kisambira told the vice president the majority of the leaders in the various structures of UMSC are newly elected and need orientation to do their work.
“We have planned orientation meetings for members of the General Assembly and various committees on their responsibilities and duties to better their leadership. We also expect to orient them on various government poverty and social transformation programs. We ask the government to consider extending support to UMSC for capacity building among the Muslim leaders,” he said.
Prof. Kisambira also highlighted the need for the government to support Muslims in the fight against poverty and social transformation
. “There is a need for collaboration between government, sharia experts, and Muslim technocrats in supporting the social transformation and poverty eradication from the Muslim community,” he said.
He also observed the need to improve Muslim schools and health centers, as well as the need to utilize the vast amount of land owned by over 15,000 mosques across the country to eradicate poverty.
“We request the government to support in identifying partners who could help us to develop this land to improve our community. Land left unutilized is a land lost,” he said.
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