By Derrick Omoding
The Teso-Karamoja Regional Assistant Mufti (RAM), Sheikh Obilan Abubakar Umar, convened a significant regional meeting on February 19, 2025, aimed at discussing various aspects of development within the Muslim community in the North Eastern Muslim Region.
The meeting brought together key leaders, including District Kadhis from Kumi, Teso, Kotido, and Karamoja Muslim Districts, as well as members of the General Assembly, District Chairmen, and County Sheikhs.
During the meeting, Sheikh Obilan provided an update on the progress made in the region, with educational scholarships for primary and secondary school students being highlighted as a key achievement.
This follows the regional budget of 38 billion shillings and work plan presented earlier during the Teso-Karamoja Muslim Corporates Luncheon on January 18, 2025.
One of the major initiatives launched during the meeting was the Mosque Membership Register, scheduled to begin on March 7, 2025, during the holy month of Ramadhan.
“Registering Muslims is critical for effective planning and resource allocation, as accurate data will enable better community development and strategy implementation”, he said
The RAM also unveiled plans for the construction of regional offices in Camp Swahili, opposite the Muslim Cemetery.
The construction, which is expected to start on March 14, 2025, will require 500 million shillings.
Sheikh Obilan called on the leaders to mobilize the necessary funds for this important project.
“To enhance service delivery, I announced the establishment of two new units within his office: the Monitoring and Evaluation unit and the Research and Planning unit.
These units will help improve the management and implementation of projects in the region”, he stated.
He praised both the Mufti of Uganda for his support in carving out the North Eastern Muslim Region from the Eastern Muslim Region as a form of affirmative action, and President Yoweri Museveni for maintaining peace, stability, and religious freedom in Uganda.
The meeting concluded with a renewed sense of commitment to regional development, and participants expressed their appreciation for the new direction of Muslim leadership in the region.
Since Sheikh Obilan’s appointment as RAM, the Muslim community has felt a stronger leadership presence and is optimistic about the future.