Haji Faruk Kirunda Praises UMSC for Self-Sustainable Project Initiative

Haji Faruk Kirunda, the Deputy Press Secretary to H.E the President, has commended the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) for launching a self-sustainable project worth Shillings 700M aimed at boosting household incomes for ordinary Muslims and other community members.

Haji Kirunda made these remarks during a meeting organized to evaluate a field report prepared by a technical team at the UMSC headquarters , Wednesday 4th Sept 2024.

This team was tasked with assessing the readiness of various working committees established to ensure the smooth implementation of the projects across ten Muslim regions in the country.

Haji Kirunda expressed his delight at the initiative, noting that it complements the government’s poverty alleviation efforts, such as the Parish Development Model (PDM), while the UMSC relies solely on its internally generated funds.

“From the ongoing developments I’ve witnessed here and the accounts from His Eminence, the Mufti, about the challenging state of affairs at the UMSC a few years ago, it is truly gratifying to see that the Council has managed to generate its own funds and embark on such transformative projects without relying on any donor money,” Haji Kirunda observed.

He also urged Muslim leaders at all levels to use media channels such as radio and television talk shows to counteract misinformation and highlight the UMSC’s achievements. He concluded by pledging to bring the projects to the attention of the President, with the aim of securing additional government financial support to further expand these initiatives and benefit all citizens.

The meeting was opened by Hon. Prof. Dr. Muhammadi Lubega Kisambira, the UMSC National Chairperson, who provided background on the projects. He described them as timely, especially in awakening ordinary Muslims, particularly women and youth, to the importance of generating household incomes.

He emphasized the growth of the UMSC as a self-sustaining institution with its own identifiable sources of funding to carry out its activities, and he encouraged all officers involved to demonstrate dedication, commitment, and passion in ensuring the success of these projects.

Hon. Hadji Abbas Muluubya Ssekyanzi, the UMSC Secretary General, introduced Moses Kipkemboi, a Kenyan national and specialist in the production of briquette charcoal from waste, working with Hydrogen & Methanol Ltd.

Mr. Kipkemboi briefly explained the process of making briquettes and the machinery involved, as the project is set to be implemented in the Kampala Muslim region.

Following this, the field report was presented by Hon. Arinda Abdu-Razaq, Deputy Secretary General in charge of development and planning, and project coordinator. The report detailed the areas, including the acreage of land in the ten Muslim regions, that are ready and earmarked for the implementation of the proposed projects.

Subsequently, the nine out of ten Regional Assistants who attended the meeting were granted the opportunity to provide feedback and additional input.

Several resolutions were passed, including:
– The immediate commencement of the procurement and distribution of agricultural inputs.
– Continued regional preparations.
– Enhanced coordination between UMSC Headquarters, regions, districts, and working committees.

The meeting was closed by His Eminence Dr. Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje, the Mufti of Uganda, who recalled the dire state of affairs when his administration assumed leadership in 2000. Mufti Mubaje recounted how the Council’s principal organs were not in place, many employees had gone without pay, and Old Kampala Hill was characterized by an unfinished mosque structure with a leaning minaret on the verge of collapse.

Despite these challenges, Mufti Mubaje highlighted the significant achievements attained, including the proposed income-generating Self-Sustainable Projects and ongoing construction projects at the UMSC headquarters in several regions. He then officially flagged off the implementation process for the cited projects.

Also in attendance were His Eminence Sheikh Muhammad Ali Waiswa, the Deputy Mufti; Hon. Counsel Haj Muhammad Ali Aluma, Deputy Secretary General in charge of Finance and Administration; Hon. Sophie safina Kenyangi the UMSC National Chairperson Muslim Women Council, Hon. Habib Mustafa, National Muslim Youth council and other departmental heads.

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