UMSC Education Secretary Meets Egyptian Ambassador
The Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt, H.E. Monzer Selim, has assured Ugandans that his country remains committed to strengthening the long-standing bilateral cooperation between Egypt and Uganda, especially in the field of education.
Ambassador Monzer Selim made the assurance while meeting Sheikh Juma Bakhit Cucu, the Education Secretary of the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC), during a courtesy visit to the Egyptian Embassy in Kampala on Wednesday afternoon, May 20, 2026.
Sheikh Cucu had gone to follow up on the issue of scholarships and mosque Imams’ refresher training programmes rolled out by the Egypt-based Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, the most prestigious and renowned university in the Muslim world, headquartered in Cairo.
Sheikh Cucu expressed profound appreciation on behalf of His Eminence Dr. Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje, the Mufti of Uganda, and the entire Muslim fraternity for the long-standing generosity extended by the Egyptian government towards Ugandan Muslims through the training of many Islamic theologians who have greatly contributed to satisfying the spiritual needs of the Muslim community.
Sheikh Cucu informed the Ambassador that UMSC last received scholarship offers in 2019. He added that the Council recently received an official communication from the Egyptian Ministry of Higher Education through the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding another batch of scholarship opportunities encouraging Ugandan Muslim students to apply for the 2025/2026 academic year.
“UMSC went ahead to announce these educational opportunities, and many of our students promptly applied. However, we are yet to receive feedback, and the applicants are anxiously waiting to hear from the sponsors,” Sheikh Cucu said.
Additionally, Sheikh Cucu reminded the Ambassador about the Imams’ refresher course for which UMSC had earlier submitted a list of selected Imams, but the Council is still awaiting feedback.
In his welcoming remarks, Ambassador Monzer Selim reiterated that the Egyptian government is fully committed to deepening cooperation between the two brotherly countries in all fields of development, especially education. He revealed that the scholarship opportunities had officially resumed recently and would continue to be available to Ugandans.
He further noted that Imams’ refresher training is important in equipping religious leaders with appropriate and moderate communication skills while delivering religious knowledge and values within their respective communities. He described the programme as an effective channel for curbing religious extremism emerging in some Muslim communities.
The Egyptian envoy pledged to follow up with the relevant Egyptian authorities regarding the issues raised during the meeting.
Both sides agreed to maintain further engagements in the near future.
Also in attendance was H.E. Elsayed Abu Okail, the Deputy Head of Mission at the Egyptian Embassy.