The Regional Assistant to the Mufti in charge of Teso-Karamoja Muslim Region, Sheikh Obilan Abubakar Umar, has urged Muslim leaders to embrace teamwork by forming joint Savings and Credit Cooperative Organizations (SACCOs) to strengthen the culture of saving and improve access to government and institutional funding.
Addressing Imaams, Amirats (women representatives), and county Sheikhs from Kateta, Kasilo, and Serere Muslim counties at Ochaapa Main Mosque as part of his regional working tours, Sheikh Obilan explained that the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) is rolling out a nationwide SACCO initiative and it will be managed under Islamic finance principles of interest-free loans, designed to uplift the welfare of Imaams, Amirats, and the Muslim community at large.
“The Muslim community lags behind due to ignorance of working together in groups. Because of this, we miss out on financial opportunities such as the Islamic banking products at the Microfinance Support Centre. Even politicians prefer supporting organized groups because their impact is greater,” Sheikh Obilan said.
Sheikh Obilan also revealed that three Muslim leaders from the Teso-Karamoja region had recently traveled to Mecca for Umrah under the sponsorship of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
The beneficiaries were Sheikh Ramadhan Ibwakit (Deputy District Kadhi Teso), Sheikh Isa Keli Pedo (District Kadhi Kotido), and Hon. Aisha Neumbe Among (Woman Member General Assembly – North Eastern).
He thanked President Museveni for his continued support to the Muslim community, as well as the Mufti of Uganda, Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje, for granting the creation of the Teso-Karamoja Muslim Region and considering its leaders for the Umrah programme.
“It is the first time in the history of the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council that our region has received such an opportunity on this scale. We are grateful to the President and the Mufti for always thinking about our community,” Sheikh Obilan remarked.
In his message, Sheikh Obilan called on Muslim leaders to demonstrate exemplary conduct during the ongoing election season.
While encouraging Muslims to actively participate in shaping the political leadership of their areas, he warned clerics against turning pulpits into platforms for partisan politics.
“Although you have the right to support and vote for candidates of your choice, do not turn your sermons into political platforms. Politicians who seek blessings should be prayed for without bias, and Allah will guide the community to the right leaders,” he advised.
Sheikh Obilan further expressed concern about leaders who extend donations and development projects exclusively to certain religious groups, sidelining Muslims.
He urged the faithful to support only inclusive and development-oriented leaders who foresee the greatness of Allah
As an example, Sheikh Shaban Hamis, County Sheikh of Serere, shared that he uses a motorcycle donated by Serere Woman MP and State Minister for Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Hon. Hellen Adoa, to support his pastoral duties.
Sheikh Obilan commended the minister’s gesture, stressing that leaders who promote inclusivity and empower religious institutions deserve community support.
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