President Museveni Emphasizes Economic Empowerment For Muslims At Iftar Dinner

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni hosted the Muslim community for an Iftar dinner at State House-Entebbe on March 27, 2024.

During the dinner, President Museveni congratulated the Muslim faithful for their progress during the Ramadan season.

“I find a lot of similarities between the Quran and the Bible,” he remarked, noting the closeness in substance between the two scriptures.

The President expressed his satisfaction with religious groups promoting economic empowerment among their followers, emphasizing the importance of work in enhancing livelihoods.

He reflected on past ideological differences, particularly in the 1960s, regarding prosperity and economic development, highlighting the need for all individuals to prosper economically.

President Museveni shared examples of successful wealth creation initiatives in Ugandan villages, emphasizing the importance of involvement in the money economy to combat poverty.

He urged leaders to promote engagement in the four sectors of the economy: commercial agriculture, manufacturing and artisanship, services, and ICT.

President Museveni cautioned against the physical division of property during inheritance, advocating for equitable distribution among children.

Regarding Islamic teachings on riba (interest) in the Parish Development Model (PDM), he pledged to convene experts to address the issue.

The Mufti of Uganda, Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubajje, expressed gratitude to President Museveni for hosting the annual Iftar dinner and praised his leadership and achievements in healthcare, education, and wealth creation.

He appealed for economic empowerment of Muslim regions in Uganda to become centers of skill development and wealth creation.

The event was attended by ministers, members of the diplomatic corps, members of parliament, and other Muslim leaders.