President Yoweri Museveni has congratulated all the Muslims in the country upon getting a new National chairperson for the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC), Prof. Dr. Muhamadi Lubega Kisambira and urged him (Lubega) to work with Muslim structures at the council to fight corruption in Uganda.

The President also commended the good working relationship of the Muslims with the Government that has enabled some to occupy high offices and others being ardent supporters of government programmes. 

The remarks were delivered during his speech read by Vice-President Jessica Alupo who represented him at Kisambira's thanksgiving ceremony at Misita village, Bukooma sub-county in Luuka district on Friday.

From L-R: The Mufti of Uganda Sheikh Shaban Mubajje, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of East Africa Community Affairs Rebecca Kadaga, Vice President Jessica Alupo and the chairman Uganda Muslim Supreme Council Prof.Dr. Muhamadi Lubega (right) at the thanksgiving ceremony at Misita village in Makooma sub county in Luuka district.

The ceremony, which started with Shukran prayers, was also attended by First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of East African Community Affairs Rebecca Kadaga, Luuka North legislator Luke Inhensiko Kyobe, Busoga Kingdom prime minister Dr Joseph Muvawala, officials from the Busoga Kingdom and UMSC general assembly delegates.

Promote integrity, morality

President Museveni told Lubega that he had been ushered into his new office by the Grace of God and urged him to be steadfast in fulfilling the duties that have been entrusted to him.

The President also urged him to use the faith of Islam to promote integrity, and morality in a bid to fight corruption and HIV/AIDs.

He said the NRM leadership is there to interest all youth into working hard to transform their homesteads incomes and that he was glad that Muslim youth had shown the spirit of development and shunned deceitful politicking and urged them to continue.  

Busoga Kingdom’s Prime Minister Dr. Joseph Muvawala (2nd right) and his second deputy Osman Ahmed Noor (left) at the thanksgiving ceremony at Misita village in Makooma sub county in Luuka district.

Call for road construction

Prior to the President’s speech, Busoga leaders, led by Kadaga, Kyobe and Luuka LC5 chairperson Simon Wakaze requested the Government, through Alupo, to tarmac three roads which include the Buwenge-Nakabugu-Naigobya-Kaliro, from Kamuli-Namwendwa-Luuka and another from Walugogo in Iganga-Busalaamu-Nakabugu-Kamuli.

They said once the roads are tarmacked, inter-district trade will be boosted and that farmers will be able to sell their products and produce.

A Mataali group entertaining guests at the thanksgiving ceremony of the chairman Uganda Muslim Supreme Council Prof.Dr. Muhamadi Lubega at Misita village in Makooma sub county in Luuka district.

Museveni lauded

Mufti of Uganda Sheikh Shaban Ramathan Mubajje appreciated President Yoweri Museveni for the cordial relationship between the Muslim fraternity and his National Resistance Movement government.

Muvawala pledged the kingdom’s support towards development programmes of Muslim institutions in Busoga.

Lubega said he wants the Government to support them in several areas, including the fight against poverty among Muslims by providing tractors and other agricultural inputs; supporting Muslims to develop their prime properties in urban areas; support the Muslim community with the construction of a theological college and also support Muslims to get partners or work with Muslim leaders to utilise the over 100,000 acres of Muslim land lying idle or being misused in the country.

Alupo said she will write a report about the issues of the Muslims and hand it over to President Museveni for solutions. She pledged to team up with some of the Busoga leaders like Kadaga and some MPs to follow up.

President Museveni pledged a land cruiser TXL vehicle for the new UMSC chairperson.