Govt gives Libyan Islamic body greenlight

Government has signed a host agreement with Libyan World Islamic Call Society (WICS), giving leeway for the organization to establish offices in the country despite the various changes leadership that the Libyan Government has faced over time.

The agreement was signed last week by the state minister for foreign affairs, Henry Okello Oryem and Prof. Saleh Salim, the chairperson of the World Islamic Call Society at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters in Kampala.

"Despite the challenges that Libya is going through, Uganda and Libya enjoy cordial relations. As part of these friendly ties, we have signed a host agreement with WICS, giving the organisation autonomy to establish offices and conduct its operations," Oryem said, singling out support towards education, health and the construction and rehabilitation of the Old Kampala Gaddafi Mosque, as some of the projects that the organisation has implemented in the country.

"WICS has been implementing several projects, including building schools, supporting the health sector, the provision of safe water, giving scholarships to our citizens to study in Libya and the rehabilitation of the Old Kampala mosque. Therefore, this host agreement marks a new beginning and more projects will be developed," he added.

Commenting about the agreement, Prof. Saleh Salim, the chairperson of WICS, said by Government giving them the green light to permanently set up offices and operate in the country, the organisation will be able to double its development plan for Uganda.

"We appreciate the Government of Uganda for enabling us to continue carrying out our projects. The relationship between Uganda and Libya dates back to many years, and we are here to continue cementing this relationship between our two countries and citizens," he said.

WICS is a non-profit organization, established in 1972, under the leadership of former Libyan President, Col. Muammar Gaddafi. Gaddafi was ousted in 2011.

Over the years, the WICS organisation has not only provided humanitarian assistance to different African countries, but it has also built mosques, among other projects.

The Mufti of Uganda, Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje, who also attended the signing ceremony yesterday, welcomed Government's decision to officially host WICS, saying that the move will enable the organisation to implement various projects for the development of the country.