SOROTI: Muslim leaders from Karamoja and Teso meeting in Soroti City have been asked to maintain peace because a peaceful and stable Uganda is good for everyone, regardless of tribe, religion, gender.
The leaders were commended for supporting the patriotic and Pan-African agenda of the NRM government, which aims at unifying the people of Uganda and Africa.
The remarks were made by President Museveni, in a speech read for him by Vice President Alupo, at the 2nd Annual Ateker Muslim foundation (AMDEF) which brought together over 200 Muslim leaders from Karamoja and Teso, in Soroti.
“I am happy to note the enthusiasm and determination of the Muslim Leaders in championing the fight against poverty and backwardness in their respective communities” President Museveni said.
He said that society is like a living organism which must undergo different forms of life to attain full maturity and productivity.
He stressed the Importance of working with everybody, “as long as they respect and champion the legitimate interests of the people of Uganda and Africa.”
The Vice President Jessica Alupo on her part appealed to the Muslim community to embrace girl-child education.
“We should encourage the Muslim community to take children to school without discrimination including those with disability,” Alupo said.
She insisted that education is a tool that can be used to propel Muslim girls into key leadership positions.
She urged the Muslim community to continue embracing peace amongst themselves but also other religions.
She stressed that all government programs are supposed to be inclusive for all of us Ugandans.
The Vice President also pledged to rally support for the rehabilitation of the Soroti City Mosque which was built in 1952.
Alupo who was previously fondly nicknamed Khadijah also promised to address issues of squatters on the Muslim land.
She announced a pledge of UGX50m to the different Muslim SACCO groups.
The Deputy Mufti Sheikh Abdallah Semmambo encouraged the Muslim leaders to advance their knowledge to concepts of management and administration especially in the academia to enhance their performance.