Senior Reporter
Hon. Sophie Kenyangi, the National Chairperson of the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) Women Council, has praised the Mufti of Uganda, Sheikh Shaban Ramadan Mubajje, and the Muslim community for advocating the inclusion of Muslim women in leadership roles within the Constitution of the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council.
She expressed her joy at the opportunity this provides for women to engage in national politics and emphasized the importance of respecting the leadership structure to empower young women for positive transformation at the grassroots level.
Hon. Kenyangi made these remarks during the closing ceremony of a three-day Muslim women’s seminar at the Ntungamo Muslim Headquarters Main Mosque in Ntungamo Municipality, where she served as the chief guest. She also urged women to foster love in their marriages as a means to prevent domestic violence, a significant cause of death in the country.
Hon. Kenyangi commended Sheikh Swalleh Kashangirwe, the district Kadhi, and Ampaire Sakina Imamu, the secretary for women and youth affairs, for organizing the seminar aimed at empowering rural women in various aspects of life. As a gesture of support, she donated ten sewing machines to facilitate skill development for income-generating projects at the household level.
Sheikh Swalleh Kashangirwe appealed to local government leaders to recognize Muslim women who have long been neglected in various platforms, emphasizing their importance in developmental programs, especially during election seasons. He also appreciated Sheikh Abduallah Yunusi Rwamahe, the Imam for Kiruhuura district, for his talent in articulating and preaching the Quran in Runyankore/Rukiga for better understanding.
Bukenya Saed, the Chairman of Ntungamo Muslim District, stressed the importance of adhering to the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council constitution for the growth and development of Muslims.
Sakina Imamu, the secretary for women and youth affairs, expressed gratitude to the women for participating in the seminar and acknowledged the facilitators for imparting knowledge and skills. She thanked the district Kadhi for allowing the first-of-its-kind seminar in the district and encouraged positive behavioral change among the participants.
Sakina also appreciated husbands for supporting their wives’ participation in the seminar and urged women to practice the lessons learned. She thanked fellow women leaders for their cooperation, which contributed to the success of the seminar. The women representatives discussed various action points focused on unity and the enhancement of women’s potential for sustainable development among Muslim women nationwide.
