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The Muslim community in Kampchorwa district has been urged to embrace different government programmes to end household poverty.

Tingye County Member of Parliament Fadil Twalla made the call during the Iftar dinner he hosted for Kapchorwa Muslims on the eve of Eid-al-Fitr at his country home in Kawowo village, Kawowo sub-county in Kapchorwa.

The Parliamentarian explained to people in attendance that the Government had moved away from addressing general economic issues to “effectively and efficiently addressing household income”.

Twalla, rallied Muslims never to remain behind in this era, “we need to progress together socially and economically and this government has plans under implementation for all of us.”

Kapchorwa Muslims have been tipped on government programs and Islamic Banking. (Photo Credit Javier Silas Omagor)

To address household income, Twalla said the government introduced different programs to address household income such as the Parish Development Model (PDM), Emyooga, and Operation Wealth Creation (OWEC), among others.

“I’m very impressed by the fact that some of them (Muslim community in Kapchorwa) are already tapping these opportunities but I noted with concern a certain group who still needed some enhanced sensitisation,” Twalla said.

Twalla who doubles as the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) Sebei co-ordinator, however, noted that some people attach issues of politics and religion to the programmes which affects their participation in the programmes.

He advised Muslims to form savings and loan associations in which they practice principles of Islamic banking to borrow loans in order to develop.

Kapchorwa District Kadhi Sheik Abdallah Sabila reechoed the need for Muslims to make the most of the government programmes meant to transform their communities.

“I urge all the Muslims to work hard to produce food and general income to develop their families and communities,” Sabila said.

“I advise each of you to work hard in order to become wealthy. Modern life depends on agriculture and the money economy,” he said, adding: “So, no one should remain behind in this progress".

Hon. Fadil Twalla of Tingye County urged Muslims to embrace government programs. (Photo By Javier Silas Omagor)

Habib Chepsigor, the chairperson Sebei Muslim district council, said Kapchorwa residents are blessed with vast fertile land which is anchored on the slopes of Mountain Elgon.

Chesigor reasoned that despite being blessed with productive soils, “some people in Kapchorwa are not using it to change their lives".

Razia Chelangat, the district councillor Kawowo/Kapsinda sub-counties, lauded Twalla for bringing together Muslims for a “good cause,” before promising to mobilise women across the county to embrace government programmes.