President Yoweri Museveni has expressed happiness at the unity and spirit of brotherhood and togetherness exhibited by Muslims in Mbarara District in particular and many other parts of the country adding that this will do a lot to strengthen the Islamic faith in the country.
He, therefore, appealed to Muslims to oppose anyone attempting to promote divisionism and factionalism within the Muslim community in the country.
The President made the remarks last evening at Kiyindi Zone in Kakooba Division in Mbarara Municipality where he was chief guest at the installation of the District Khadi of Mbarara, Sheikh Abdulla Mukwaya. Sheik Mukwaya replaced the late Sheikh Ahammed Kwikiriza who died in a car accident on the eve of Iddi Day in 2017.
Mr. Museveni reminded Muslims that unity is strength further urged them to always cherish unity and do away with things that divide them.
“I am happy to find you happy, peaceful and working for unity on projects aimed at getting out of poverty. I have known Muslims all my life as very hard working people especially in the area of business. I managed to attain most of my education because of the Muslim traders such as Walusimbi Mpanga and Bukenya who would buy my father’s cows and enable me get school fees. They were very shrewd in business,” he added.
He, therefore, advised Muslims to ensure that members of their families are either engaged in modern commercial oriented agriculture, the service sector, in industries or utilise the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector to generate employment and get rid of household poverty.
The President, who had earlier laid a foundation stone for a multi-billion Supreme General Hospital, a new project in Mbarara Municipality that is being undertaken by Muslims in Mbarara district expressed happiness that Muslims in the area are progressing well as evidenced by several development projects that are being undertaken. He pledged Shs.200 million shillings towards the project of constructing the hospital.
Mr. Museveni congratulated Sheikh Abudalla Mukwaya over his installation as District Khadi of Mbarara. He urged him him to use his new position to also mobilise Muslims to work and get rid of household poverty. He donated a car to the new District Kadhi and pledged Shs.50 million to Mbarara Muslim District Saving and Credit Cooperative Savings Organisation.
The Mufti of Uganda, Sheikh Shaban Ramathan Mubajje, congratulated Sheikh Abudallah Mukwaya on his installation as leader of Mbarara District Muslims. He advised him to serve with humility adding that it is the humble that God gives His blessings. He thanked Mbarara District Muslim leadership for leading Muslims in peace.
He also appealed to the Muslim youth to always shun acts of violence adding that Islam does not glorify violence and whoever tries to preach violence as part of Islam is a liar, selfish and self-seeker.
He asked Muslims to relate well with other faith groups because God created all people no matter what their divergent religious inclinations may be. He thanked President Museveni for the support to the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) and their workers throughout the country that has eased their service delivery.
Sheikh Abdulla Mukwaya pledged to work for unity of all Muslims in Mbarara District on top of dedicated commitment towards fighting youth unemployment through job-creation projects and education of the youth. He thanked President Museveni for the Universal Primary and Secondary Education programmes. He also revealed his leadership will largely concentrate on the skilling of the youth to equip them with skills that will empower them to create jobs as opposed to being job seekers.