Muslim charity donates food items to 1,000 orphans, refugees in Kampala

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The Muslim World League office in Uganda has donated food items to over 1,000 orphans, despondent urban refugees, widows and the needy within Kampala city.

The items include rice, maize flour, beans, cooking oil and clothes.  

Distributing the aid to the selected beneficiaries at the Muslim World League offices in Kampala on Thursday (August 22, 2024), Mohamad Gabriel, the country director of the organisation, said they are doing it for altruistic reasons.

“This is an ongoing project for the non-registered orphans, despondent refugees and needy people in Kampala who are not receiving anything in the bank and it is part of our mission,” Gabriel said.

He disclosed that 1,900 registered orphans and refugees in Kampala will receive monetary support through their bank accounts and the payment is ongoing. 

Presiding over the event, Sheikh Muhammad Ali Waiswa, the deputy mufti of Uganda, commended the Muslim World League for its continuous humanitarian support world over.

Mohamad Gabriel, Sheikh Obed Kamulegeya, RCC Aminah Lukanga handing over the food basket to a beneficiary. (Courtesy)

“We are quite pleased to be here to witness yet another generous contribution towards our beloved communities, especially the orphans and those in need and refugees. On behalf of Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC), I wish to express our sincere gratitude and thanks to the Royal Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for this immense contribution it makes throughout the world,” Waiswa said.

Waiswa also lauded President Yoweri Museveni for not only offering a conducive environment for the organisation to operate but also welcoming everybody.

“Uganda is the only hospitable country where you find a refugee integrated entirely in a community without discrimination.  When you move around Kampala city you will see people of different origin moving freely and they have become Ugandans. They exercise business, interact with us, inter-marry with us and everything is normal and this is a blessing to this country,” Waiswa noted.

Thanking President Museveni for extending a kind heart to members of African countries in particular who are suffering disaster in their home countries, Waiswa said Ugandans need to reflect on their past.

“Uganda was once in the situation of civil strikes and wars and very many of us found it very difficult to live in this country. I want to advise our communities that the help that comes to us is as a result of you becoming responsible and not indulge in insecurity or matters that cause violence not only with yourselves. You need to be peaceful and happy and enjoy yourselves. Let us use this assistance responsibly,” he added.

Important to support the needy

Making a reference to the Kiteezi garbage tragedy in which over 35 people lost their lives, Waiswa underscored the importance of supporting those in need saying it can happen at any time.

“I encourage those with means to always support those in need because these incidents will always happen. As UMSC, we plan to organise a special Juma prayer dedicated to the Kiteezi victims very soon,” he said.

On Wednesday, the same organisation also donated food items to over 100 elderly people in Luweero district.

Kampala Resident City Commissioner (RCC) Aminah Lukanga also commended the Muslim World League for supporting the needy in the country.

“The Government is doing its part but we also welcome this support because it supplements what we do,” Lukanga said. 

Aminah Zaid, one of the beneficiaries, thanked Muslim World League for the support.

“I am very grateful for this support but I have been struggling to feed my family,” she said.