ENTEBBE .
President Museveni has pledged to donate tractors to the ten Muslim regions in Uganda to support the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) socio-economic transformation programme.
He made the pledge during the annual state Iftar dinner at State House Entebbe on Tuesday evening. This followed a request from Sheikh Abubakar Umar Obilan, the North Eastern Regional Assistant to the Mufti, who asked the President to support UMSC’s initiative.
In 2024, UMSC launched a Shs 700 million programme using internally generated funds to promote self-sustainability across the ten Muslim regions namely Ankole, Bunyoro-Tooro, Kampala, East Buganda, West Buganda, Eastern, Northern, North Eastern, West Nile and Busoga.
During his sermon, Sheikh Obilan urged the president to provide a tractor for each region to boost the programme.
“Your Excellency, we are currently implementing this programme. In North Eastern Uganda for example , we have a project with over 200 sheep. We think when we get a tractor, it will go a long way in enhancing its implementation in line with the government’s program towards economic empowerment,” he said.
He also requested a vehicle to support his mobilization efforts.
“Your Excellency, I am a product of the Shs 2 billion you provided to UMSC for its constitutional amendment process in 2022. Being the youngest Regional Assistant to the Mufti, I am the only one without a vehicle. I kindly request you to provide me one,” he added, drawing chants of “Allah is Greatest” from a group of Kadhis.
In response, President Museveni, impressed by Sheikh Obilan’s presentation, pledged to donate tractors to each of the ten Muslim regions and provide a vehicle to Sheikh Obilan.
“I will give each of the ten Muslim regions a tractor and give you a vehicle in the next financial year,” Museveni pledged .
He commended UMSC for implementing the socio-economic programme, stating, “I am beginning to see that our thinking is going together as a country.”
Museveni emphasized the need for Ugandans to generate wealth alongside their spiritual well-being.
“That is why we rolled out the Parish Development Model and provided 100 million to each parish to benefit Ugandans directly. That is your money; it will stay in the parishes to help Ugandans improve their livelihood. The government doesn’t need it,” he explained.
He also clarified the five percent top-up on the funds, stating that it was meant to maintain their value rather than serve as interest.
“The goods you buy for one million Shillings today will cost you more next year because the value of money keeps depreciating,” he said.
Earlier, His Eminence Sheikh Muhammad Ali Waiswa the Deputy Mufti , who represented his boss Sheikh Shaban Mubajje —who was away on official duties in the U.S.—thanked President Museveni for his continued support to Muslims in a written six paged speech.
“As Muslims, we extend our appreciation to Your Excellency for always supporting our activities,” he said, pledging UMSC’s full cooperation in implementing government programmes such as the Parish Development Model.
