Mufti Appeals for Ugandan Traders in South Sudan
By Ashraf Zziwa
The Muft of Uganda Dr. Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje, briefed UMSC departmental heads on Tuesday Feb 4th 2025 during their weekly meeting about his official visit to the Republic of South Sudan last week.
During the visit, he engaged with both the Muslim leadership under the officially recognized South Sudan Islamic Council and government officials led by the First Vice President, H.E. Riek Machar Tenyi.
According to the Mufti, Vice President Machar expressed the South Sudanese government’s interest in Uganda’s education system, including Islamic education. Mufti Mubaje also used the opportunity to highlight the concerns of Ugandan small-scale traders who frequently export goods to South Sudan. He pointed out the exorbitant taxes levied on them and the persistent harassment they face while conducting cross-border business between the two neighboring countries.
Additionally, on a lighter note, Sheikh Mubaje requested the South Sudanese government to provide vehicles for recognized Muslim leaders in South Sudan to facilitate their community work. He emphasized that their efforts contribute significantly to national development. In response, the South Sudanese government pledged to follow up on the Mufti’s requests.
Meanwhile, the Muslim leadership in South Sudan, led by His Eminence Dr.Sheikh Abdallah Baraji Rual, Secretary General (Mufti) of the South Sudan Islamic Council, presented several requests to Mufti Mubaje and the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC). They sought assistance in establishing a structured Muslim leadership hierarchy based on a well-elaborated constitution, as well as capacity-building programs for leadership and administrative activities. They also requested support in establishing formal Islamic theological learning centers at both O and A levels to train Islamic teachers and religious leaders. Furthermore, they asked for scholarships for South Sudanese students at Ugandan Islamic institutions such as the Islamic University in Uganda- IUIU and the Islamic Call University. In addition, they appealed for new equipment for their FM radio station, which was donated by Mufti Mubaje three years ago.
Mufti Mubaje responded positively to these requests, and both parties agreed to hold further engagements to explore ways of implementing the proposed initiatives.
Present at the meeting were His Eminence Sheikh Muhammad Ali Waiswa and His Eminence Dr. Sheikh Hafidh Muhammad Harunah Bukenya, the Second Deputy Mufti.
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