The Mufti of Uganda, Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje, has welcomed the Government of Egypt’s decision to resume scholarship opportunities for Ugandan students, describing the move as a major boost to Islamic education and the longstanding relationship between Uganda and Egypt.
The Mufti made the remarks while hosting the Egyptian Ambassador to Uganda, Monzer Selim, at the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) headquarters in Kampala.
Ambassador Selim, who was accompanied by officials from the Egyptian Embassy, said the visit was aimed at strengthening cooperation between the Arab Republic of Egypt and the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council.
During the meeting, the Ambassador announced that the Egyptian Government had reinstated scholarships for Ugandan students following a suspension that lasted several years.
He revealed that 23 Ugandan students had already been selected to benefit from the programme.
“The first group of students will travel to the prestigious Al-Azhar University in Cairo on July 26, 2026, while the second group is expected to depart in September,” Ambassador Selim said.
The Ambassador also requested the Mufti to nominate five Imams from major mosques across Uganda to participate in a refresher training programme at Al-Azhar University aimed at enhancing their religious knowledge and leadership skills.
Ambassador Selim further highlighted challenges affecting the Kimanya Noor Islamic Learning Centre in Masaka District, an institution established by Egypt in 1998 on land donated by a Ugandan Muslim cleric.
The centre, which is affiliated with Al-Azhar University, has produced graduates who later secured scholarships for further studies in Egypt.
He explained that following the death of the original land donor, some family members claimed ownership of the property, resulting in a dispute that has affected the institution’s operations and prevented Egyptian teachers from continuing lessons.
“We seek the intervention of the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council to help resolve the dispute so that the institution can resume its normal operations,” the Ambassador appealed.
In response, Mufti Mubaje thanked the Ambassador for the visit and reaffirmed the strong relationship between UMSC and Egyptian institutions, particularly Al-Azhar University.
“We highly appreciate the Government of Egypt for resuming scholarship opportunities for Ugandan students. This will greatly contribute to the development of Islamic education and leadership in the country,” the Mufti said.
On the Kimanya Noor Islamic Learning Centre dispute, Mubaje directed the UMSC Education Secretary to convene a stakeholders’ meeting within two weeks to find an amicable and lasting solution to the ownership conflict.
“Our priority is to ensure that the institution resumes normal operations and continues serving the Muslim community without interruption,” he said.
Before his departure, the Mufti presented Ambassador Selim with gifts as a symbol of the enduring friendship and cooperation between the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council and the Arab Republic of Egypt.
