Museveni Commits Shs2 Billion to Uplift Muslim Women’s SACCOs

President Yoweri Museveni has committed Shs2 billion to support the development of Muslim women’s Savings and Credit Cooperative Organizations (SACCOs) in Uganda. During the inaugural Muslim Women’s Conference, held at Old Kampala Secondary School grounds, Museveni promised to deliver Shs1 billion now and another Shs1 billion in July next year. This financial support aims to bolster Muslim women’s socio-economic transformation, in line with the event’s theme, “The Role of Muslim Women Leaders in Socioeconomic Transformation.”
President Museveni expressed his appreciation to the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) for empowering Muslim women through the formation of the National Muslim Women Council of Uganda. He praised the council’s efforts in aligning with the National Resistance Movement’s (NRM) vision of women’s emancipation and equality. Recalling the NRM’s early support for women in the army during the fight against Idi Amin, Museveni reiterated that the government has always promoted women’s inclusion in national development.
Museveni shared historical anecdotes of how women were initially excluded from the military by the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) faction but later welcomed into the armed forces by the NRM. He explained how the NRM facilitated women’s participation in governance by creating special seats in Parliament for women and marginalized groups. He also emphasized the importance of Muslim women’s involvement in the socio-economic transformation of Uganda, welcoming them to what he termed as “the NRM’s journey of civilization.”
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Reflecting on the contributions to Uganda’s infrastructure, Museveni recounted the construction of the Old Kampala Mosque, funded by former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, and other projects such as King Fahad Plaza. He highlighted the long-term impact of these efforts, emphasizing that even simple initiatives can leave a lasting legacy.
The President also recalled the establishment of the Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU), an initiative he supported despite facing opposition from some government officials. He stressed that there was no harm in promoting Islamic education in Uganda, given that a portion of the population is Muslim. Museveni shared his personal role in securing USD 7 million from Saudi Arabia to build King Fahad Plaza, which supports IUIU.
In addition to financial support, Museveni encouraged Muslim women to actively participate in government programs such as the Parish Development Model (PDM) and Emyooga, aimed at fighting poverty. He urged them to use their talents to multiply resources, drawing on a biblical parable as an analogy for productivity. He also assured the women that the government was committed to helping Ugandans escape the clutches of money lenders by providing low-interest financial solutions.
Vice President Jessica Alupo, who was also in attendance, lauded the Muslim community for their unity, compassion, and hard work. She noted that these qualities were crucial for development, particularly in uplifting women in various sectors.
Mufti of Uganda, Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje, acknowledged that the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) had previously resisted the idea of women in public roles. However, the council amended its constitution to allow women to participate in socio-economic activities, which Sheikh Mubaje said was crucial for the community’s development. He reassured President Museveni that the UMSC was united, with only a few elements trying to disrupt the council’s progress.
Sheikh Mubaje also criticized individuals who misuse social media to discredit Islam by attacking others. He warned that these “self-proclaimed Sheikhs” would be summoned and cautioned for their disruptive behavior. Sheikh Mubaje thanked the Special Presidential Assistant, Haji Faruk Kirunda, for his support in organizing the Muslim Women’s Conference.
During the conference, the National Chairperson of UMSC, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Lubega Kisambira, expressed his gratitude to the President for his guidance and wisdom in helping Muslims contribute to national development. He affirmed that UMSC’s structures were willing to collaborate with the government to uplift Ugandans’ socio-economic status.
The Chairperson of the National Muslim Women Council, Hajjat Sophia Kenyangi Safina, emphasized the pivotal role that Muslim women play in Uganda’s transformation. She praised the council for elevating Muslim women’s contributions, describing them as leaders in sectors like business, education, and caregiving. Hajjat Kenyangi expressed her gratitude to President Museveni for his leadership in promoting gender equality and empowering Muslim women across various sectors.
Hajjat Kenyangi further lauded the UMSC’s leadership under Sheikh Mubaje and Prof. Lubega for mobilizing the Muslim community to embrace the government’s message of increasing household incomes. She highlighted a Shs700 million project launched by UMSC this year, aimed at boosting household incomes, and requested the President’s support in providing agricultural inputs and irrigation equipment to expand the project.
The National Muslim Women Council is also poised to revolutionize how women’s SACCOs are managed across Uganda by introducing a centralized digital system. This system will allow SACCO members to submit applications and track their status online, ensuring greater transparency and efficiency in resource allocation. Hajjat Kenyangi described this initiative as a game-changer for Muslim women’s SACCOs, ensuring that financial support is disbursed transparently once funds are available.
Despite these achievements, Hajjat Kenyangi acknowledged the challenges still faced by Muslim women, including limited access to vocational education, financial exclusion, and social barriers to leadership roles. She called on the government and development partners to address these issues to enable Muslim women to fully participate in Uganda’s development.
The event was attended by ministers, members of parliament, religious leaders, and other dignitaries.
President Museveni’s Contribution
Shs2 Billion
Amount for SACCOs Now
Shs1 Billion
Amount in July Next Year
Shs1 Billion
Project Launched by UMSC
Shs700 Million