• D.Ks and R.As, Religious Affairs
• By: Ashiraf Zziwa

Sheikh Ghalib Talib Amooti was formally installed as the Official Regional Assistant to the Mufti overseeing the Bunyoro-Toro Muslim region. The installation took place amidst a well-attended and vibrant ceremony held at the historic Muslim hill of Bwikya in the heart of Hoima Oil City on Friday, 17th, 2023.The event was graced by His Excellency President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, represented by Hon. Wilson Muluri Mukasa, the Minister of Public Service. His Eminence Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje, the Mufti of Uganda, presided over the function. Also in attendance were dignitaries including Hon. Hadji Abbas Sekyanzi Muluubya, the UMSC Secretary General, Hon. Counsel Haj Muhammad Ali Aluma, the Acting Deputy Secretary-General in charge of Finance, and other UMSC departmental heads, General Assembly Members, Executives, . Notable figures present included members of the National Parliament, Local Government district leaders, Resident District Commissioners (RDCs), among many others. The ceremony commenced with a lively procession led by a brass band, followed by convoys of students and pupils from Muslim-based schools in Hoima Oil City. In his congratulatory address, President, Yoweri Museveni in a speech delivered by Honorable Muluri Mukasa commended the efforts of Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje in stabilizing Uganda Muslim Supreme Council- UMSC and fostering development within the Muslim community.
President Museveni urged the new Regional Assistant to the Mufti to encourage Bunyoro-Toro’s Muslim faithful to engage in government poverty alleviation programs, emphasizing their empowerment in contributing financially to Islamic activities such as building mosques, schools, and healthcare facilities. “When Muslim households are empowered financially, they will in turn extend financial support towards Islamic activities such as construction of Mosques, Schools, health facilities that will see the growth of Islamic faith in the communities,” President Museveni penned. The Mufti, Sheikh Mubaje, highlighted the rationale behind establishing Regional Assistants, emphasizing the need for qualified individuals to supervise religious and developmental activities across different districts. “By the time my administration assumed office in the year 2000, UMSC had only 26 Districts and now they are 78. So, this called for Assistants who are well qualified to supervise activities at lower structure,” Sheikh Mubaje observed. He thanked the government for supporting the UMSC, particularly in funding the revision of the UMSC Constitution and facilitating nationwide Muslim elections. Addressing Sheikh Ghalib, the newly appointed Regional Assistant, the Mufti urged him to prioritize being God-conscious, a unifier, and development-oriented. Sheikh Mubaje encouraged cooperation with the government and other religious denominations under the Inter-Religious Council of Uganda (IRCU), emphasizing the importance of educating children in both religious and secular knowledge.
Subsequent speeches were delivered by Hon. Muluubya, who praised the Mufti’s vision and encouraged collaboration on the UMSC’s ten-year strategic development plan. “My doors are open to you. So let’s work together to unpack and implement the Strategic plan. I also urge you to work closely with all developmental partners in this region and seek advice from elders including tapping knowledge from your colleagues, the fellow Regional Assistants while executing your duties,” Hon. Muluubya advised.
In his speech, Sheikh Ghalib expressed gratitude to the Mufti for entrusting him with the noble responsibility of serving the community in his new role. Following the ceremony, Sheikh Ghalib took the Oaths of Allegiance and Secrecy under the guidance of the UMSC Electoral Commission’s returning officer for the Bunyoro-Toro Regional office.