Muslim leaders in Uganda have called for a meeting between President Yoweri Museveni and Muslim youth representatives to address concerns over the President's repeated absence from their events. The National Muslim Youth Council chairperson, Habib Mustafa, expressed disappointment over Museveni's absence from the National Muslim Youth Convention at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds, despite receiving assurances that he would attend.
Mustafa asked Third Deputy Prime Minister Rukia Isanga Nakadama, who represented the President, to convey their concerns and seek an explanation for his repeated absence from Muslim youth functions. He questioned whether Muslim youth were receiving the same recognition and attention as other groups, arguing that they deserved direct engagement with the country's leadership.
The National Muslim Youth Convention brought together Muslim youth, religious leaders, government officials, and other stakeholders to discuss leadership, skills development, employment, and economic empowerment. The convention also launched the National Muslim Youth Skilling, Rehabilitation, De-radicalisation and Empowerment Centres Initiative, which aims to equip young people with practical skills while addressing challenges such as unemployment, drug abuse, and radicalisation.
Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) National Chairperson Prof. Muhammad Lubega Kisambira supported the call for a meeting, saying Muslim youth leaders were important partners in addressing challenges affecting young people, including radicalisation. He appealed to Nakadama to arrange a meeting between Museveni and the youth leaders to discuss their concerns and explore areas of cooperation.
The initiative launched at the convention seeks to establish vocational training centres across the country's 10 Muslim regions to promote entrepreneurship, self-reliance, and economic participation. The programme also features a Muslim Youth Expo and Halal Business Forum to give young entrepreneurs opportunities to showcase their businesses and establish networks.
Museveni's absence from the convention came despite earlier announcements by the organisers that he was expected to preside over the event. In 2019, the President was also scheduled to open an international Muslim youth conference in Kampala. Kisambira said Muslim youth leaders complemented government programmes, including the Youth Livelihood Programme and Emyooga, by promoting economic empowerment and supporting young people to become self-reliant.
The Muslim leaders are yet to receive a response to their request for a meeting with President Museveni. The UMSC has said that the National Muslim Youth Skilling, Rehabilitation, De-radicalisation and Empowerment Centres Initiative is a key step towards empowering young Muslims and addressing the challenges they face.
Key points
- Muslim leaders in Uganda are seeking a meeting with President Yoweri Museveni to address concerns over his repeated absence from their events.
- The National Muslim Youth Convention launched the National Muslim Youth Skilling, Rehabilitation, De-radicalisation and Empowerment Centres Initiative to equip young people with practical skills.
- Muslim youth leaders have expressed concerns over the President's repeated absence from their events, despite receiving assurances that he would attend.
