His Eminence Dr. Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje, the Mufti of Uganda, has, on behalf of the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC), pledged to support developmental projects in Karamoja, including the drilling of boreholes, construction of mosques and classroom blocks, and establishment of a health centre, among other initiatives.
The Mufti made the pledge while officiating at the delivery of 700 packages of relief food to communities affected by prolonged drought, which has destroyed crops and livestock across the region.The relief food, valued at Shs130 million, consisted of maize flour, cassava flour, beans, sugar, salt and cooking oil.
The Mufti handed over the food items to hunger-stricken communities during well-attended events held at Napumpum and Amoru villages in Panyangara Sub-county on Friday, September 25, 2026.
Prior to the food distribution exercise, the Mufti paid a courtesy visit to the Resident District Commissioner, Mr. Ichogor Charles, at his office in Kotido Municipality.
The meeting was attended by several leaders, including Hon. Nuria Hafsa Teko, Area Woman Member of Parliament; Mr. Lotee Paul, LC5 Chairperson; Mr. Jimmy Tumusingye, District Police Commander; Hussein Wandera, Assistant Regional Police Commander; and Sheikh Isah Keli Pedo, the Kadhi of Kotido Muslim District, among others.
In his brief welcoming remarks, Ichogor shared the background of the district and highlighted the prevailing food crisis affecting the population.
Other district leaders echoed the concerns, calling for a sustainable, stakeholder-driven affirmative action plan to address widespread poverty in the communities.
They expressed gratitude to the Mufti and the UMSC for responding positively to the plight of vulnerable people in Karamoja.
In his remarks, Mufti Mubaje commended the government for its efforts to restore peace and stability in the region.
“Since there is total stability in Karamoja, the government needs to establish tailored empowerment programmes for the people because the Karamojongs are not lazy. Rather, they are hardworking. When driving along their villages, you can see how resilient they are in ploughing dry gardens of sorghum that have been affected by the hostile climate. So, it is our responsibility to stand with them,” Mufti Mubaje said.
The Mufti later travelled about 30 kilometres from Kotido Town, where he led hundreds of Muslim worshippers in Friday prayers.
Mufti Mubaje spent two days in the region. Officials who accompanied him included Hon. Arinda Abdu-Razaq, Deputy Secretary General in charge of Development and Planning; Ms. Afua Mugumya, an accountant; Dr. Edris Abdallah Sserwadda, the Vice Chancellor, Islamic Call University College and Prince Habib Musa Mawanda, Private Secretary to the Mufti.
Sheikh Abubakar Umar Obilan, the North Eastern Regional Assistant to the Mufti, led Muslim leaders in welcoming the Mufti and his entourage to the region.