President Museveni has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to continue working with Muslim leaders to achieve development and socio-economic transformation across the country.
In a message delivered on his behalf by the Special Presidential Assistant for Press and Mobilisation and Deputy Spokesperson, Hajj Faruk Kirunda, the President commended Muslim clerics for amplifying the National Resistance Movement’s message of wealth and job creation at the household level.
“I want to commend His Eminence Sheikh Ramathan Mubaje, the mufti of Uganda, the kadhis and imams, for amplifying the NRM’s message on wealth and job creation,” Museveni said.
The remarks were made during special Busoga prayers and the inauguration of the District Kadhis of Namutumba and Bugweri, held on Friday, November 7, 2025, at Namalemba Seed School in Bugweri District.
The President thanked the Regional Mufti, Hussein Mahamad Bowa, and other Muslim leaders in Busoga for organising prayers for peaceful campaigns and general elections, noting that his absence was due to ongoing campaign activities.
On behalf of the government and the NRM Party, Museveni congratulated Sheikh Faiswal Sowed Kakaire and Sheikh Zaidu Ramathan Wakibi on their appointment and inauguration as District Kadhis.
“I want to thank you for accepting to lead the Muslims in your respective districts,” Museveni said.
“Allah has entrusted you with a great responsibility to offer spiritual guidance to the believers. I encourage you to constantly seek wisdom and counsel from the Holy Quran to make correct decisions.”
The President commended Muslim leaders for urging believers to pursue not only spiritual fulfillment but also economic empowerment.
“It is important to note that human beings have both spiritual and physical needs,” he said.
“Moneylessness is solved by undertaking a profitable enterprise in one of the four sectors: commercial agriculture, industry, services, and ICT. These are the sectors where jobs and wealth can be created.”
Museveni highlighted the government’s continued investment in infrastructure, electricity, health, and education since 2005, noting that peace and stability have laid a foundation for economic growth.
“The remaining task is to help our people transform these advantages into wealth for families and jobs for young people,” he said.
“Development is a collective good, but it must translate into household prosperity to be meaningful.”
He cited government programs such as Emyooga, the Youth Livelihood Fund, and the Parish Development Model as key enablers of financial inclusion and production.
“If we solve the problem of poverty in each home, even the challenge of building mosques will be solved because families will be empowered to support Islam financially,” Museveni added.
The President also assured believers that in his next term, the government will extend financial support to Savings and Credit Cooperative Organisations (Saccos) of religious leaders, including Sheikhs and Imams.
Former Vice President Specioza Wandira Kazibwe, who heads the NRM campaigns in Busoga, urged independents to stop attending NRM strategic meetings and cautioned voters against supporting them.
Mufti Mubaje praised President Museveni for supporting Muslim-led projects that have contributed to socio-economic transformation and thanked him for accepting to support Saccos of imams and sheikhs.
He also encouraged the Muslim community to “vote wisely” in the January 15, 2026 elections.
Hajjat Sofia Kenyangi Safina, National Chairperson of the Uganda Muslim Women Council, thanked the President for fulfilling his pledge of Shs2 billion to the Muslim women’s Saccos.
The function was attended by Members of Parliament, Resident District Commissioners, and various religious and community leaders.