Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) Executive Director Sharifah Buzeki has called for cooperation between KCCA and City residents so as to bring about meaningful development in the City.
“We urge you to love your City. Embrace all programs that we bring. Let’s work together to make it clean and develop it together. That way, if it develops, we win together and shows that we in administration; would have left a lasting mark” Buzeki told locals in Kiteezi during handover of food items to Muslims and non-Muslims to support them during the ongoing Ramadan and Lent periods.
The function took place at Kiteezi main mosque where the Executive Director with support from her Turkish friends under their local organization Deniez Fereri Foundation donated food items to the fasting locals.
Buzeki said that KCCA approached the organization seeking for support to go towards the people in Kiteezi.
“They accepted and promised to give some assistance. I am glad we’re now here to handover this support. They have also promised more support and we pledge to bring it here when it is given to us” she said amid cheers from the locals who included Muslim and non-Muslims.
The packages totalled 100 packs weighing 20kgs each. The package included sugar, salt, rice, cooking oil, Maize flour and wheat flour.
She pledged to the locals that KCCA through its Directorate of Gender and Community Services will be more visible in Kiteezi and other places in Kampala since it is directly charged with community welfare targeting mainly the youths, orphans, elderly and other vulnerable groups.
Meanwhile, Senior Presidential Assistant, Mariam Namayanja Kiwanuka, who officiated at the handover ceremony, commended ED Buzeki for caring about Kiteezi.
“Usually, what comes from here are sad stories but we’re happy the ED has come with good news. And it’s good that she has come after the (Kawempe North) by-election because others would have politicized her visit. We also congratulate her for landing this job because as we all know, the list of those who wanted it was big. We wish you success” she said.
Namayanja also revealed that a State House program of taking Muslims to Mecca that had been scrapped has since been reinstated.
“This year, we’re begining with 100 Imams who have never stepped in Mecca. They will be taken for Hijjah” She said attracting applauses from the participants.
She also noted that since President Museveni assented to the Islamic Banking Law, it’s now important for all stakeholders including the Executive Director Sarifah Buzeki to lobby for Islamic Banks to come to Uganda.
“The Turks have got many Islamic Banks, I urge Madam ED to talk to them to bring them here. The work of the President was to sign the Islamic Banking Law” she said.
Namayanja however, said that as Muslims await for this to happen, there’s money in the Microfinance Support Center where Muslims opposed to paying interest loans are catered for under the Islamic Banking dictates.
“Imams, there’s money at Microfinance Support Center and our friends the Christians have been getting it but for us, we have failed to go and get it. I am ready to lead you to Microfinance Support Center, let’s go and get this money” she said adding that Muslims should also embrace other programs like PDM where government puts money.
“I request you, whether you support or not, get this money. Let’s not reject this money because if you don’t, other Ugandans will get it and move on” she said.
Namayanja also urged the locals especially mothers not to allow their children get involved in acts of violence or joining gangs. She also noted with dismay a trend where Muslims have developed nasty habits of abusing leaders.
“Those abusing on TikTok are wearing Muslims attires. The witch doctors, are Muslims, those abusing government are Muslims. I really don’t know, are these Muslims or people just wear our attires? We should all condemn all these acts because if we don’t, they will think we’re part of it” she said.
She urged Muslims to concentrate on development as time for politics is still far in October. Namayanja gave Shs2m towards the Muslim Sacco and also promised to table their requests to the President. The Turkish group included Mr. Mohamud and Jamil Nsubuga among others.
