Museveni contributes Shs 2bln to Muslim Women SACCOs

KAMPALA, October 12, 2024 — President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has contributed Shs 2 billion to Muslim women-run Savings and Credit Cooperative Organisations [ SACCOs ] in the country.

“I will contribute Shs 2 billion for the SACCOs of the Muslim women. I will mobilise Shs 1 billion now and another Shs 1 billion in July next year,” Museveni said.

He made the revelation days ago during the inaugural Muslim Women’s Conference held at Old Kampala SS playground, in Kampala. The event ran under the theme, “The Role of Muslim Women Leaders in Socioeconomic Transformation”.

At the same function, President Museveni expressed gratitude to the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council [UMSC] leadership for empowering Muslim women through the formation of the National Muslim Women Council of Uganda.

“Again, I’m happy to see that the thinking of the NRM is now spreading to all of you,” he noted.

The President said the National Resistance Movement [NRM] government has always promoted women emancipation and equality through various initiatives.

“You know in 1979 when we were fighting Idi Amin, we recruited many young people including girls to join the army but at that time we were mixed. We had our other groups like UPC. So, when we came to form one army, our UPC partners refused the girls. They said women are not for the army. We were stuck with our girls in Mbarara but when we had a second round of fighting in Luwero, we resurrected our idea of women joining the army and this time we were by ourselves and women joined in big numbers,” he explained.

“When we captured power, they joined the national army for the first time. And these women are good shooters. When we came to Parliament, we created a special seat for the women and other marginalised groups. Now, I didn’t know that you the Muslims had been left behind on the issue of women. Now I welcome you to the NRM’s journey of civilisation.”

On the other hand, Museveni said he was very happy that simple efforts can result in things which last long and have a lasting impact.

“I want to thank God for how he can use simple people to do things which last long. When I come here and see this mosque, I feel very happy because this mosque was not there. During Amin’s time the people in charge had got money from Saudi Arabia to build a mosque but they had not; they had built a crooked structure. Now the Muslim leaders kept telling me about the mosque until I talked to Muammar Gaddafi and he agreed to build the mosque and it is now here with other structures like the shops. I’m very happy that our simple efforts resulted in something like this,” he said.

He also revealed how he supported the idea of setting up an Islamic University in Uganda despite facing opposition from some government officials.

“Then you have King Fahad Plaza in town there. Again, I talked to somebody, I think Saudi Arabia, about how to support Islamic University in Mbale and they gave me US$ 7 million which I used to build King Fahad Plaza that has been helping the university in Mbale. Then the Mbale University itself, some of the people had rejected the idea of an Islamic University. I asked why? They said they are trying to make us an Islamic country, I said no! Some of our people are Muslims, there’s no harm having something Islamic because some of our people are Muslims. I therefore gave out Nkoma SS, a government school to them and they started that university with that school. Nowadays wherever I go, I find these young people who graduated from that University.”

Furthermore, Museveni encouraged Muslim women to fight poverty through embracing various government programs like the Parish Development Model [PDM] and Emyooga.

“Now that you are coming out, the only thing I could emphasise for all Ugandans is what is in the Bible where they talk about the Talents. Somebody gave talents [money] to his workers then he went on a long journey, when he came back, one of the workers had multiplied the talents, he was happy with him and the other one who just kept what he was given, the master was not happy with him, he took away the talent from him and added it to the one who multiplied it. All of us are given talents which we should also use to multiply,” he said.

“Therefore, the government is sending support to you in all those villages. Each Parish is getting money in the form of PDM and then each constituency is getting money in the form of Emyooga and I’m beginning to get testimonies that they are doing very well, and we are going to put in more money. We are sending Shs100m per parish but in time we are going to send in more money,” he urged, adding that the PDM money is not “riba” and the additional 6 percent on repayment of Shs1m after 2 years is meant to protect the money in the Parish SACCO from inflation.

Museveni also assured the women that the government is looking forward to saving Ugandans from money lenders by offering them money with no or less interest.

The Vice President, Jessica Alupo thanked the Muslim community for the spirit of unity, hard-work, peace, compassion, and love.

“Those qualities are very strong in Islam,” she asserted.

The Mufti of Uganda, Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje said that in early years, UMSC was against the idea of women being in public space but later they realised that they should take part in the socio-economic spheres of the country for development.

“We are here because of the UMSC constitution which was amended to allow women to be in the public space and you highly supported it, Your Excellency,” Sheikh Mubaje said.

Mubaje also said that the Muslim fraternity in Uganda is now united with less infights.

“Although there are some few elements who want to disrupt our programs, as UMSC we are on a right path of working together as Muslims in the country.

The Mufti also reported to the President some bad elements calling themselves “Sheikhs” who are misusing social media to discredit Islam by abusing people.

“We are noting them down and we shall summon them and warn them to stop destabilising our country.”

He also thanked the Special Presidential Assistant– Press and Mobilisation, Faruk Kirunda for supporting UMSC in organising the conference.

The National Chairperson of UMSC, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Lubega Kisambira informed the President that the structures under the UMSC are able and willing to work with the government to improve the socio-economic status of Ugandans.

“We have learnt a lot from your counsel, wisdom, experience in emancipation and fighting poverty,” he said.

The Chairperson of the National Muslim Women Council under Uganda Muslim Supreme Council, Sophia Kenyangi Safina informed the President that the council symbolises more than just an organisation—it represents the unstoppable force of Muslim women driving transformation in our society.

She underscored the immense contributions of Muslim women who include leaders, business owners, educators, and caregivers—in shaping Uganda’s future.

“Muslim women are not just participants in this journey, but leaders- and through this Council, we will elevate our roles even further,” she said.

She also commended President Museveni for his wise leadership that grants freedom of worship in Uganda.

“I also wish to express my sincere appreciation to you, Your Excellency, for being a steadfast ally in empowering women. Your commitment to gender equality has opened countless doors for women across all sectors. Under your leadership, Muslim women have risen to new heights in politics, business, education, and more,” Kenyangi said.

She also lauded Uganda Muslim Supreme Council under the leadership of Mubaje as Mufti, and Dr. Lubega Muhamad as National Chairman; for upholding Museveni’s message of increasing household incomes and mobilising the Muslim Community to heed to the call.

“Their dedication to unity within the Muslim community has empowered us to embark on this transformative journey,” she said.

“Your, Excellency; a self-sustainable project, worth Shs 700 million and aimed at boosting household incomes for ordinary Muslims and other community members was launched by the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council this year. An assessment meeting attended by all the Regional Muslim leaders was held on September 4, 2024. It was addressed by Kirunda who emphasised your philosophy of improving Household incomes.”

Kenyangi further requested the President to support them in the project so that more Ugandans benefit from it.

“Sir, due to the high numbers of participants in this project; your involvement is needed especially in the areas of provision of agricultural inputs and irrigation items.”

Kenyangi also told the President that the National Muslim Women Council is looking forward to empowering the Muslim Women to drive socio-economic growth, ensuring that they  are not just contributors, but leaders in the nation’s transformation.

“Your Excellency Muslim women are already at the forefront of Uganda’s economy, excelling in sectors like agriculture, entrepreneurship, vocational skills, and Islamic finance.”

Hajjat Kenyangi also announced a groundbreaking initiative that will revolutionise the way the council manages and supports Muslim women’s SACCOs across the country.

“The soon-to-be-adopted centralised digital system will digitise all women SACCOs under the Uganda Muslim Women’s Council, allowing for real-time tracking of SACCO needs and operations,” she said.

“With this digital system, SACCOs and their members will have the ability to submit applications online and check the status of those applications at any time. This will greatly enhance transparency and efficiency in the allocation of resources. Once any funds or grants become available to support women, they will be disbursed with the highest level of transparency.”

Additionally, the Chairperson noted that despite their achievements, Muslim Women still face significant challenges, including limited access to vocational education, financial exclusion, and social barriers that restrict leadership opportunities.

“We call on the government and development partners to support initiatives that address these barriers, ensuring that Muslim women can fully participate in Uganda’s development.”

The event was also attended by ministers, Members of Parliament, religious leaders, among others.

https://thecooperator.news/justice-and-prosperity-are-intertwined-museveni/

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