education 16 July 2026 Nile Post
Egypt Renews Scholarships for Ugandan Students; Mufti Hails Boost for Islamic Education
The Uganda Muslim Supreme Council has lauded Egypt's decision to reinstate scholarships for Ugandan students, with the first batch of 23 set to attend Al-Azhar University. This move is seen as a significant enhancement to Islamic education and bilateral ties. Source: https://nilepost.co.ug/news/356741/mufti-welcomes-resumption-of-egyptian-scholarships-for-ugandan-students
The Mufti of Uganda, Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje, has warmly welcomed Egypt’s decision to reintroduce scholarship programs for Ugandan students. He highlighted this initiative as a substantial advantage for advancing Islamic education and reinforcing the robust, long-standing relationship between Uganda and Egypt.
This sentiment was shared during a meeting at the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) headquarters in Kampala, where the Mufti hosted the Egyptian Ambassador to Uganda, Monzer Selim. The envoy stated that the visit aimed at strengthening existing cooperation.
Ambassador Selim announced the reinstatement of these scholarships, which had been suspended for several years. He confirmed that 23 Ugandan students have already been selected to benefit from this program. The initial group is slated to depart for the renowned Al-Azhar University in Cairo on July 26, 2026, with a second group scheduled for September.
In addition to student scholarships, Ambassador Selim requested the Mufti to nominate five imams from prominent mosques across Uganda for a specialized refresher training course at Al-Azhar. This program is intended to deepen their religious knowledge and leadership capabilities.
The Ambassador also brought attention to issues affecting the Kimanya Noor Islamic Learning Centre in Masaka District, an institution established by Egypt in 1998. An ownership dispute, stemming from family claims after the original land donor’s passing, has disrupted the center’s operations and led to the departure of Egyptian educators.
Mufti Mubaje pledged UMSC’s commitment to resolving the dispute, directing the UMSC Education Secretary to arrange a stakeholders’ meeting within two weeks to find a lasting solution, prioritizing the center’s resumption of normal activities.