• D.Ks and R.As, Office of H.E the Mufti, Office of National Chairman, Office of Secretary General, Religious Affairs
• By: Ashiraf Zziwa

A powerful delegation of Muslim Leaders from West Nile paid a courtesy visit to the Mufti and UMSC headquarters Wednesday 31, Jan 2024.Led by Sheikh Mahdie Mahmood Raihan, the West Nile Regional Assistant to the Mufti, the delegation comprised District Kadhis, Members of General Assembly, National Executive Committee, District Chairpersons, Secretaries, Prominent Sheikhs, Imams, Elders, Opinion Leaders, Women Leaders and Mosque Committe Members among others. On arrival, the delegation had a guided tour around the UMSC headquarters. The leaders explained that they had paid the courtesy visit to express their total support towards UMSC because of the historical attachment to their region. UMSC came into existence as a realization of the vision of the late Ugandan President Idi Amin who hailed from their region. Speaking in a gathering attended by His Eminence Shiekh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje, the Mufti, His Deputy Sheikh Muhammad Ali Waiswa, UMSC National Chairperson, Prof. Dr. Muhamadi Lubega Kisambira, Haj Muzamir Abon, Deputy National Chairperson, Hon Hadji Abbas Ssekyanzi Muluubya, Secretary General, Counsel Haj Muhammad Ali Aluma, Deputy Secretary General, Hon. Sophia Safina Kenyangi, National Chairperson, Muslim Women Council, UMSC National Management Members, Sheikh Abu Jafar Shaban Kalara, the Kadhi of Arua Muslim District on behalf of the region, vowed that they never to forsake and shift their allegiance from UMSC and administration of Sheikh Mubaje. “‘Your Eminence, from time immemorial, we are not known as hypocrites. So, we are hereby echoing the historical statement made by Saad ibn Abiwakas, a companion of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), when he vowed never to abandon him at the height of the then looming attack against the mission of Islam by the disbelieving folk,” he said.
Adding that “let the whole nation know that Muslims in West Nile will forever remain behind UMSC and when the Mufti calls upon us to defend UMSC, we will raise up even if it means to cross Karuma falls barefooted.” Earlier on, Dr. Abdu Wahid Ijosiga, a member of the National Executive and Chairman Finance Committee read out a Memorandum highlighting pressing challenges in the region including creation of new Muslim Districts, idle Muslim lands being targeted by grabbers and the urgent need for social transformation programs
He also presented gifts to the Mufti that included a Muslim robe that signified that they had rescued and restored his powers that were stealthily taken by the Ggangu gang. They also donated packages of Honey to Hon. Prof. Lubega and Hon. Muluubya. Meanwhile Ms Medina Nahamu Ojali, the Director of Finance in the NRM Secretariat, expressed gratitude to the Mufti for maintaining good working relations with the Govt. She pleaded with the Mufti to use his position to continue lobbying for more appointments of Muslims in the Civil service and Govt jobs. In his response, Mufti Mubaje expressed his gratitude, saying that he was overwhelmed with gestures exhibited by the West Nile Muslim Leaders and in a special way paid tribute to them for standing firmly behind UMSC.
“You have indeed energized us in renewing our commitment to work and serve. A lot has been achieved for the last 23 years. And it is not surprising that a clique of individuals by hook or crook are violently trying to grab UMSC,” Sheikh Mubaje remarked. He informed his attentive audience that UMSC will commence the initial drive for the construction of Regional Administration and Lower structures before the end of this year. He also pledged that the National Management Committee will soon sit and find mechanisms of addressing the issues raised in the Memorandum.
Other speeches were delivered by Prof. Lubega who dwelt on the implementation of the 5 year UMSC Strategic Development plan, Sheikh Waiswa praised Muslims of West Nile for empowering the Mufti, Hon. Muluubya presented the State of Affairs at UMSC as key departmental heads like Sheikh Juma Bakhit Cucu and Dr. Edris Abdallah, the Principal Islamic Call University College- ICUC shared vital information concerning Education.