KAMPALA,A delegation of senior members of the Jinja Muslim Medical Students’ Association (JMMSA) on Friday, November 14th, 2025, paid a courtesy visit to His Eminence Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubajje, the Mufti of Uganda, at his office at the UMSC Headquarters in Old Kampala.
The team, led by Rahmah Namaganda , the Secretary General, informed the Mufti that the visit was intended to introduce their Association, which brings together Muslim health professionals and students from various health training institutes in Jinja City and surrounding districts in the Busoga region. The membership includes nurses, medical laboratory technicians, and clinical officers, with a registered strength of over 600 practitioners.
According to the four-page report presented to the Mufti, the Association was formed in 2006 and has since achieved significant milestones in unity, leadership development, community outreach, and empowering members through group savings initiatives.
However, the delegation noted that members continue to face serious challenges in practicing their Islamic values within health facilities and training institutions. The issues cited included restrictions on female practitioners being barred from veiling, mandatory short uniforms that violate their modesty requirements, lack of prayer spaces at workplaces and institutions, and limited Muslim representation on key professional bodies such as the Uganda Nurses and Midwifery Council and BTVET structures. They pointed out Dr. Hajjat Safina Musene as the only Muslim serving at commissioner level.
They also referenced a recent incident at Bugiri Hospital, where a female officer reportedly ordered all Muslim female interns never to veil while on duty. The delegation appealed to the Mufti to intervene by engaging the relevant authorities to address these concerns.
In his remarks, the Mufti welcomed their report and expressed readiness to assist. He explained the approach he uses when handling sensitive matters involving government authorities.
“We don’t go shouting or hurling insults towards the government officials who might be applying actions that infringes on our rights as Muslims rather we always go to see them and dialogue when the doors are locked without involving the media. And that approach has helped us to solve many problems”, the Mufti disclosed.
He added that the same approach had been applied to resolve the recent issue at Bugiri Hospital.
“We really thank the Hospital management for honouring our request when we reach out to them concerning one of the senior Staff ordered all Muslim Internee Nurse Female students along with other Muslim Nurses never to appear at the facility while veiled. They went ahead and convened a staff meeting where such an order was lifted”.
The Mufti assured the delegation that UMSC, through its relevant offices, would follow up with the appropriate government authorities. He emphasized that religion is an important component in patient care.
“So, It will be good to have Medical practitioners who are spiritually alert at our healthy facilities”, he said.
In attendance were Hon. Counsel Haj Muhammad Ali Aluma, the UMSC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Finance and Administration and Haj Isa Shaban , officer in the Directorate Halal .