The Mufti of Uganda, Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje, has hosted the President of the Muslim Community of Burkina Faso, Al Hajj Moussa Koanda, in a meeting aimed at strengthening cooperation among Muslims across Africa.
The engagement took place at the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council headquarters in Kampala and focused on building closer ties between Muslim communities in West and East Africa, with education and institutional development highlighted as key areas of collaboration.
Al Hajj Koanda commended the level of organisation at the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council, describing it as exemplary within the African context. He said there was much that Muslim communities across the continent could learn from Uganda’s experience.
He said African Muslims needed to organise themselves better and work together more closely, noting that stronger cooperation would help address shared challenges facing Muslim communities on the continent.
Prof. Salisu Shehu, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Educational Research Development Council, praised Ugandan Muslims for their organisational strength and stressed the central role of education in uniting Muslim communities across regions.
He said education provided a practical foundation for strengthening bonds among Muslims and for building sustainable cooperation across borders.
In his welcoming remarks, Mubaje gave a brief historical overview of the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council since its establishment in 1972, outlining key milestones achieved over the years.
He cited constitutional reforms supported by the Government of Uganda that expanded Muslim leadership structures to include women and youth.
The Mufti welcomed proposals for enhanced collaboration between Muslims in West and East Africa, noting that Uganda hosts the headquarters of the African Forum for Muslim Councils, which he said offers a strong institutional platform for continent-wide engagement.
Mubaje also highlighted the council’s commitment to interfaith dialogue, referencing its role in the formation of the Interreligious Council of Uganda, which promotes cooperation on shared priorities such as education, health, poverty alleviation and peace building.
He further pointed to the African Council of Religious Leaders – Religions for Peace as another important initiative aimed at fostering understanding and collaboration among different faith communities across Africa.
The meeting concluded with discussions centred on education and capacity building, with both sides agreeing to pursue continued engagement through exchange visits and future collaborative initiatives.
Al Haj Koanda was accompanied by several dignitaries, including Prof. Salisu Shehu, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Educational Research Development Council and former vice chancellor of Istiqamah University; Mr. Swaibu Dragule, Coordinator of International Relations; and Mr. Saim Celik, a Turkish national.
Mr Dragule and Mr Celik are senior staff members of the Islamic University in Uganda.
