Rwandan Muslim students to defend rights and embrace leadership
By Ahmed Idriss
The Uganda Muslim Supreme Council-UMSC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Finance & Administration, Haji Muhammad Ali Aluma, has urged Rwandan Muslim students to be courageous in serving their fellow students, describing leadership as a divine calling meant to promote Islam in universities.
He made the remarks while hosting a delegation from the Rwanda University Muslim Students Organization (RUMSO) at the UMSC headquarters on Friday, August 14th, 2025. The delegation, led by RUMSO President Yahaya Hagenimana, was accompanied by Muslim student leaders from sister universities, including Islamic Call University College and the Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU).
“So be courageous when serving your fellow students and take it as a divine calling meant to promote Islam in universities,” Aluma remarked.
Drawing from his personal journey as a student leader, Aluma narrated his rise from leadership roles in primary and secondary school to being elected Guide President during his time at IUIU and later serving as Vice President of the Muslim Students of Uganda.
He further highlighted challenges Muslim students often face at tertiary institutions, including difficulties in observing daily prayers and female students being restricted from wearing the veil.
“So, take it as a priority to fight for Muslim students’ rights to practice their religious values, especially those studying in non-Islamic institutions. Mobilize and sensitize fellow students to attend seminars or Darasus where they can learn more about their Islamic Deen, as some come to university without prior knowledge of Islamic theology,” he advised.
Aluma also encouraged the students to organize career guidance sessions for students in lower academic institutions to help them choose appropriate courses at universities.
The Deputy Secretary General also emphasized that exchange visits such as this strengthen ties since Ugandans and Rwandans share much in common.
“You Muslim students in Rwanda need to tell the world about the role Muslims played during the genocide, when thousands of Rwandans were killed. Safe places at that time were the mosques, which hosted people regardless of ethnicity or religious affiliation,” he challenged the visiting students.
He urged the students to always work under official Muslim organizations in Rwanda and to support the government in its development initiatives.
Yahaya Hagenimana, leader of the Rwandan student delegation revealed that the group was in transit to attend a youth conference in Nairobi, Kenya.
