UMSC, MIL partner to transform farming for Muslim communities
By Ahmed Idriss
In a landmark move aimed at revolutionising agriculture and improve livelihoods of the Muslim community, the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) has partnered with Matugga Industries & Logistics Hub Ltd (MIL) to establish UMSC farmers’ centres across the country.
The agreement, signed on January 5, seeks to increase agricultural productivity, eliminate counterfeit agro-inputs, and generate sustainable household incomes through faith-aligned, modern farming practices.
UMSC secretary-general, Hadji Abbas Muluubya Ssekyanzi, penned the agreement on behalf of the Muslim body while Fiona Migadde, signed on behalf of MIL that she leads as executive director.
Under the agreement, MIL will finance, stock, manage, and operate all UMSC Farmers’ Centres, providing ethical, transparent, and faith-aligned agricultural products and services across the country. UMSC, in turn, will mobilize communities and promote the program through its established structures, aiming to boost productivity and household incomes.
The signing was preceded by a half-day orientation program for district Kadhis and other UMSC leaders, led by MIL experts who shared strategies for improving crop and livestock production.
Addressing the attendees, the Mufti, Sheikh Mubaje emphasized that unity and development remain the cornerstones of his leadership.
“After almost 25 years in office, the majority of Muslims now understand and appreciate that unity is the only path to meaningful development,” he said.
He highlighted ongoing social transformation initiatives, including a self-sustenance economic project launched three years ago in the 10 UMSC regions.
He noted that earlier agricultural interventions had been met with challenges, citing the northern Uganda Muslim region, where over 200 sheep were distributed to boost household incomes but many perished due to the unfamiliar climate.
Mubaje expressed optimism about the UMSC – MIL partnership.
“It is a blessing that UMSC has found Matugga Industries & Logistics Hub Ltd as partners. We call on all Kadhis to embrace this initiative, mobilise the faithful, adopt modern farming techniques, and establish demonstration farms on idle UMSC land,” he said.
The Mufti also encouraged Kadhis to promote community participation in government poverty alleviation programmes and urged Mosque Imams to register with Savings and Credit Cooperatives (SACCOs).
Hadji Muluubya described the UMSC-MIL partnership as timely and strategic, aligning with national development goals and broader societal transformation objectives.
