news 17 July 2026 Nile Post
Muslim Leaders Advocate for Deeper Involvement in Government Poverty Reduction Efforts
Sheikh Saidi Kasawuli, Chairman of the National Assembly of Imams and Amirats Uganda, is urging the government to integrate religious leaders more directly into poverty alleviation programs like the Parish Development Model (PDM). He believes their community ties can significantly enhance program effectiveness and accountability. Source: https://nilepost.co.ug/news/357119/muslim-leaders-call-for-greater-role-in-government-poverty-alleviation-programmes
Sheikh Saidi Kasawuli, the Chairman of the National Assembly of Imams and Amirats Uganda, has called for increased government collaboration with religious leaders in implementing poverty reduction strategies. During a tour of development projects in Mukono and Kayunga districts, including a farming training center he established, Sheikh Kasawuli emphasized that religious figures are well-positioned to bolster initiatives like the Parish Development Model (PDM).
He argued that direct involvement of Imams and Amirats in the rollout and monitoring of government programs, such as seed distribution and agricultural support, would lead to more successful outcomes. Sheikh Kasawuli pointed to instances where program implementation has been hampered by ineffective execution, suggesting that religious leaders could help ensure accountability and that resources reach their intended recipients.
The leaders expressed a commitment to uplifting their communities through agricultural ventures but highlighted the need for support, particularly in accessing superior livestock breeds and quality agricultural inputs. They noted that many Muslim communities possess available land, which could be transformed into productive farms and ranches with the right skills and resources.
Local Muslim leaders who visited the training center welcomed the emphasis on practical skills for economic self-reliance. They appealed to the government for further support, such as bringing in expert agricultural trainers to expand the center’s reach and impact.
Furthermore, leaders suggested that economic empowerment for Muslims would enable them to fulfill religious obligations, such as the Hajj pilgrimage, through their own means rather than relying on external assistance. They also urged the Muslim community to overcome dependency and internal conflicts that hinder unity and development, advocating for collective effort in income-generating activities.