Transparency is key in management of Muslim funds – Sheikh Obilan
By Ahmed Idriss
The Northeastern Muslim Region Assistant to the Mufti, Sheikh Obilan Abubakar Umar, has emphasized the need for transparent resource mobilization and accountability to rebuild trust and strengthen financial systems across the region. Sheikh Obilan made the remarks on Wednesday while leading a budget implementation planning workshop at Soflyv Hotel in Soroti City.
The workshop, aimed at enhancing financial management and resource mobilization at district, county, and mosque levels, brought together District Kadhi, District secretaries, and District treasurers from Kumi, Teso, Kotido, and Karamoja. The event focused on streamlining budget execution and addressing financial challenges that have hindered the region’s development.
The Northeastern Muslim Region has proposed a regional budget of UGX 38 billion for the 2025 financial year. Projected funding sources include 80% from the local community, 10% from NGOs, 5% from the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) headquarters and the region, 2% from individual contributions, 2% from development partnerships, and 1% from the government.
However, discussions during the workshop revealed a significant financial challenge: none of the 27 counties in the region have been remitting funds to the four districts as required by the UMSC constitution. The constitution mandates counties to make monthly remittances from slaughter fees, marriage certificates, Zakah payments, and property fees.
Unfortunately, these obligations have not been met due to weak financial systems, revenue leakages, and past financial mismanagement by some district leaders.
In response, Sheikh Obilan stressed the importance of accountability and transparency to restore confidence in the region’s financial management.
“Now that we have developed a clear work plan, we can mobilize funds from the community with a clear purpose and goal. The community will trust us again if we are accountable for the resources we receive from them,” he stated.
The workshop included practical sessions on budget implementation strategies, equipping leaders with the skills needed to manage resources effectively. It was also resolved that a massive awareness and mobilization campaign be conducted to strengthen confidence in financial systems and encourage compliance with the UMSC constitution.
Sheikh Obilan urged district leaders to expand revenue streams and ensure transparency in expenditure. He also unveiled plans to introduce Mosque Membership Registers in March 2025, a move aimed at enhancing financial planning and streamlining contributions from the Muslim community.
