At least Shillings 200 million was raised in cash and pledges in a fundraising drive for the construction of the Eastern Muslim Region headquarters held at Lupada in Budaka district on Saturday. The fundraising that drew a mammoth crowd was presided over by His Eminence Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje, the Mufti of Uganda.
The Mufti led the exercise with a donation of Shillings 6 million in cash and pledged Shillings 10 Million on behalf of the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council in the form of building materials. Professor Muhammadi Lubega, the UMSC National chairperson donated Shillings 10 million on behalf of his late parents, and the Second Deputy Mufti, Sheikh Muhammad Ali Waiswa donated Shillings one million.
Members of the General Assembly present donated Shillings 7, 650, 000 million in cash and also made pledges. Hon. Lydia Wanyoto, the NRM National Women League Chairperson donated Shillings 1 million, each Muslim District led by its Kadhi extended cash donations with pledges, and Hon Sophia Kenyangi, the National Chairperson of the Muslim Women Council also made a cash donation, and pledges.
Area leaders including Resident District Commissioners-RDCs and local councilors also made various cash donations and pledges in the form of building materials.
The event also saw the auctioning of several items including cows, goats, food stuffs to generate funds for the proposed project.
The function was disrupted at its high peak with the afternoon heavy downpour that lasted for almost an hour leaving the majority of the guests wet. In his speech, Mufti Mubaje highlighted the background of his administration based on his vision for unity and development within the Muslim community.
He thanked the Almighty Allah for the blessing, saying that the majority of the Muslims are now fully behind the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council-UMSC. He also noted the massive transformation of the UMSC headquarters in Old Kampala, saying that they are now focusing on Muslim regions in line with the UMSC ten-year strategic plan.
The well-attended function was graced with the presence of high-ranking UMSC Officials led by Hon. Counsel Haj Muhammad Ali Aluma, the newly appointed Acting Deputy Secretary-General in charge of Finance, Executives, management committee members & departmental heads, host Regional Assistant to the Mufti, Sheikh Dr. Ahmad Wandega, Sheikh Dr. Muhammad Hussein Bbowa, the Regional Assistant in charge of Busoga, Kadhis from the Eastern region, Area members of Parliament, local government leaders and prominent personalities from all walks of life among others.
