UMSC Commends Teso Muslim Leaders for Development Initiatives
Hon. Counsel Haj Muhammad Ali Aluma, the UMSC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Finance and Administration, concluded a two-day working tour in Teso Muslim District from Thursday, February 8th, to Friday, February 9th, 2024. Accompanied by department heads including Haj Ali Juma Ngobi, Secretary for Finance and Planning; Hon. Nasser Musa Odongkara, Awqaaf and Endowment; Sheikh Abdu-Karim Abdallah Katamba, Director of Halal; Sheikh Abdulbarri Muhammad Kaloozi, Secretary for Zakat, Swadaq collections, and Distributions; as well as Mr. Shaban Magala, Transport Officer, and Mr. Kizito Jafar, Personal Private Secretary in the Secretary General’s office. Upon arrival in Soroti City, they were warmly received by Teso Muslim leaders, including Sheikh Asuman Muhammad Ocen, the Kadhi, Brother Miro Fakir, the District Chairman, executives, and management members, among others. The following day, Hon. Aluma’s entourage traveled to Kaberamaido, making stopovers at Kalaki and Otuboi, where they visited mosques and boreholes. Upon arrival in Kaberamaido, the UMSC delegation paid a courtesy visit to the Area DPC, Deputy Resident District Commissioner, Ms. Clare Ayipo, and Mr. Ekesu Victor Rex, LC 5 Chairperson. The hosts pledged continued collaboration with the area Muslim leaders to foster community development. The day culminated in a meeting chaired by Hon. Aluma at Kaberamaido Masgid Jamia, attended by a significant number of mosque congregants led by County Sheikh Bilal Emuron. However, concerns were raised by area Muslims against three individuals, including Muhammad Oleja ibn Hassan, Kaberamaido Muslim County Chairman, Sheikh Salim Engwenyu, the Imam, and one former Member Assembly, for contravening the UMSC Constitution by registering their private association and attempting to transfer several Muslim commercial properties in Kaberamaido Trading Centre to said association. After extensive discussions and presentations of documentary evidence, the accused officials acknowledged their error and agreed to rectify it by withdrawing the move. A special committee was formed to oversee the proper registration of the donated properties under UMSC Kaberamaido County.
Meanwhile, Hon. Aluma informed participants that relevant UMSC organs would consider their request to have their district status separated from Teso Muslim District due to its extensive coverage across several government districts. On Friday, the UMSC department heads embarked on another round of guided tours, visiting Muslim schools including Swaria Primary School, Camp Swahir P/S, and Siirit Islamic Orphanage Centre operated by a Turkish organization. Hon. Aluma expressed gratitude to school administrators and directors, urging them to intensify efforts to ensure quality education for learners. They also inspected the ongoing construction of a business storied plaza project aimed at generating income to support Muslim activities. Finally, they visited Teso Muslim District Offices, where they held closed meetings with leaders to discuss strategies for Muslim development and well-being. The visit concluded with Friday congregational prayers at Soroti Main Mosque, with Sheikh Abdu-Karim Abdallah Katamba as the guest preacher and Sheikh Abdubarr Kaloozi leading the prayers. Hon. Aluma addressed the congregation, reassuring them about the stability of UMSC leadership amidst false rumors circulating on social media platforms, emphasizing that Mufti Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje remains in office, and the UMSC is operating normally.
In attendance were several Muslim leaders, including Hon. Hassan Otai, Member of the UMSC General Assembly, prominent sheikhs, imams, and many others.