A two-day follow-up training for officials of the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) on International Humanitarian Law (IHL), organised by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), has ended.
The training, which began on Wednesday, September 15, and ended on Thursday, September 16, 2026, was aimed at strengthening the capacity of Muslim religious leaders to understand and promote humanitarian principles within their respective communities.
The training was officially opened by Mr Kedir Awol Omar, Head of the ICRC Regional Delegation covering Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi. In his opening remarks, Omar described the training as a deliberate effort to deepen cooperation between the ICRC and UMSC in promoting and upholding International Humanitarian Law.
UMSC was represented by its Secretary General, Hon. Hajji Abbas Muluubya Ssekyanzi, who stood in for the Mufti of Uganda, His Eminence Dr Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje.In his written remarks, Hajji Muluubya described the follow-up training as an avenue for UMSC officials to deepen their understanding, share experiences and strengthen their capacity as religious leaders to promote humanitarian values within their respective communities.
“Therefore, this follow-up demonstrates that the partnership between the UMSC and ICRC is growing from awareness to sustained engagement,” he said.
Hajji Muluubya also welcomed Dr Ahmad Al-Dawoody, Legal Adviser for Islamic Law and Jurisprudence at the ICRC headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, who was among the key facilitators.
He also recognised the participation of District Kadhis from areas hosting refugees who fled their countries because of conflicts and wars, citing the West Nile region as an example.
Hajji Muluubya commended the ICRC for raising awareness among participants about International Humanitarian Law and its principles, which seek to protect human life, dignity and rights, particularly during armed conflicts and hostilities.
“These principles are entirely consistent with the teachings of Islam,” he said.
He concluded by pledging, on behalf of UMSC, to strengthen and consolidate the partnership with the ICRC.
During the first day of the training, participants received presentations on various topics, including an introduction to the ICRC by Ms Patricia Bako; an introduction to ICRC protection by Ms Simona Ferrara; and an introduction to International Humanitarian Law, with reflections on the legal protection of children, missing persons and detainees, by Bro Mohammed Mahady Elserafy.
On the second day, Dr Ahmad Al-Dawoody presented a paper on Islamic law and conflict, including rules of engagement concerning children, the elderly, clerics and non-combatants. He also addressed the protection of children, missing persons and detainees under Islamic law.
The training was closed by Hon. Counsel Haj Muhammad Ali Aluma, Deputy Secretary General in charge of Finance and Administration at UMSC.
Aluma expressed gratitude to the ICRC for establishing the partnership with UMSC and called for more training-of-trainers programmes in the future.
Those in attendance included Prof Ziyadi Swaleh Lubanga, Director of Sharia; Sheikh Abdu-Karim Katamba, Head of the Directorate of Halal and Ankole-Kigezi Regional Assistant to the Mufti; Mr Abdu Sinan Nsenye, Internal Auditor; Dr Sheikh Muhammad Hussein Bbowa, Busoga Regional Assistant to the Mufti; District Kadhis from Luwero, Entebbe, Mayuge, Bugweri, Bugiri, Yumbe and Obongi; Dr Zahara Nampeewo from Makerere University, Centre for Muslim Justice; Counsel Mariam Kulwawo; and Haj Sulaiman Musana, a student of Conflict Resolution Studies at Islamic Call University College, among others.