New push for Muslim women SACCOs as Mubaje warns “the money must return”

By Issa Kigongo

The money sitting in Muslim women’s SACCO accounts across Uganda is not a gift. It is a trust. And if it is not handled properly, the whole project collapses. That was the message delivered on Tuesday as the National Muslim Women Council convened at the UMSC headquarters in Kampala.

The Mufti of Uganda, Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje, gave the warning in a message delivered by Hadji Abbas Muluubya Ssekyanzi, the UMSC Secretary General, who addressed the ten regional representatives present.

Muluubya reminded the leaders to intensify mobilization efforts among Muslim women in their respective regions, emphasizing that the funds provided to establish Savings and Credit Cooperative Organizations (SACCOs) are revolving in nature and must be managed responsibly.

“These funds are revolving,” Hadji Muluubya said. “Beneficiaries must adhere to the regulations. Every loan taken must be repaid. That is the only way we sustain the SACCOs for the women who come after.”

He further encouraged the women to take advantage of the Halal Farmers’ Centres established in various Muslim districts, where they can access quality agricultural and livestock inputs.

Muluubya assured participants that UMSC would follow up on President Yoweri Museveni’s recent pledge of an additional shs 20 billion towards Muslim women SACCOs.

Hajjat Sophie Safina Kenyangi, the National Chairperson of the Muslim Women Council presented a detailed annual report that did not hide the difficulties.

“This project was conceived as a strategic initiative meant to foster economic empowerment of Muslim women through the establishment of Sharia-compliant Savings and Credit Cooperative Organizations (SACCOs),” she remarked.

She outlined key activities undertaken, including nationwide sensitization campaigns for mindset change, training of trainers (ToTs), and the development of a Digital Ecosystem Management System aimed at enhancing transparency, accountability, and efficiency in managing the Presidential grant of shs 2 billion currently in circulation among SACCOs.

QADHI COURTS BILL

Abbas Muluubya called upon the women leaders to support the Qadhi Courts Bill, which was recently tabled before Parliament to facilitate the administration of Muslim personal law in matters of marriage, divorce, and inheritance.