Mufti of Uganda Mubajje urges kyeyo seekers to explore local opportunities

Mufti of Uganda Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubajje has dispelled the common misconception that life is easier abroad than it is locally.

Mubajje has, in turn, criticised Ugandans who fly out in search of casual jobs (ekyeyo) in foreign countries, especially in the Middle East, where the migrant workers are sometimes subjected to inhumane treatment. 

"It is true Uganda is still having many problems, but we are much better off than many other countries which I have visited," Mubajje says.

Citing cheap foodstuffs in the country, Mubajje said it is much easier for a person to survive in Uganda than outside.

"At least, here a person can not die of hunger because food is very cheap, unlike in some other countries where people starve," he says.

Mubajje has, therefore, urged Ugandans to first explore local opportunities before considering going abroad for casual jobs. He wondered why Ugandans pay big money to labour agents to take them for casual jobs abroad.

Countering counterfeit products

The Mufti made the remarks on February 26, 2026, while commissioning Luwero Halaal Farmers Centre, a one-stop shopping centre where farmers will be buying genuine agricultural inputs at reduced prices.

The shopping centre, which is at Kasana in Luwero town council, is the first of the 87 which the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) is planning to establish countrywide to eliminate counterfeit agro inputs and generate sustainable agricultural incomes through modern farming practices.

Under the arrangement, UMSC has partnered with Matugga Industries & Logistics Hub Ltd (formerly Cooper U Ltd), an agro input firm, which will finance, stock and operate the centres in addition to equipping farmers with knowledge.

UMSC is expected to mobilise communities and promote the programme through its established structures, to boost productivity and household incomes.

Mubajje said the move to establish Halaal farmers centres was yet another initiative by the UMSC to supplement government social transformation efforts in all the 10 Muslim regions countrywide.

Mobilising the faithful

Mubajje urged all Kadhis and other Muslim leaders to embrace the new initiative by mobilising the faithful, adopting modern farming techniques, and establishing demonstration farms on idle UMSC land.

The Mufti also encouraged Kadhis to promote community participation in government poverty alleviation programmes and urged Mosque Imams to register with Savings and Credit Cooperatives (SACCOs).

Deputy UMSC secretary general in charge of planning and development Abdul Razak Arinda, who is also the focal person of the project, said the project had started in Luwero but it will be rolled out to all the 87 Muslim districts countrywide.

Arinda said the Halaal farmers' centres will help to fight counterfeit agro inputs, which have flooded Ugandan markets, causing losses to farmers.

According to Arinda, in addition to the Halaal shops, UMSC will also establish demonstration farms and employ professionals in a bid to promote modern farming practices.

UMSC deputy secretary general in charge of finance Muhammad Ali Aluma said the centres will serve all people regardless of religious affiliation.

The Matugga Industries and logistics hub team was led by the company's chief executive, Hajjat Phiona Migadde.