PRESIDENT MUSEVENI CALLS FOR GLOBAL JUSTICE AND PROSPERITY DURING IFTAR DINNER AT STATE HOUSE ENTEBBE

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, also the current Chair of the Non-
Aligned Movement (NAM) has called on world leaders to pursue global
justice and affluence, warning that conflicts driven by identity politics
continue to destabilize regions and undermine development.

“I would like to use this season of Ramadan to call upon people around
the world to work for justice everywhere and for global affluence,” he
said.

President Museveni made the remarks yesterday while hosting the
Muslim community for an Iftar dinner at State House Entebbe.
The dinner ran under the theme: “Peace, Unity and Reconciliation: Our
Divine Mandate for National Building”.

The President reflected on the rising global tensions, particularly in the
Middle East, and urged leaders to prioritize dialogue, fairness, and
economic cooperation.

He noted that Uganda maintains friendly relations with many countries
involved in the Middle East tensions, including Israel, Iran, the United
Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and the United States.

He revealed that he engaged several leaders privately to encourage
dialogue and peaceful solutions.

The President reiterated his long-standing support for the two-state
solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, arguing that mutual recognition
between Israel and Palestine could help stabilize the region.

“I have always told the leaders involved that both sides should recognize
each other so that the two-state solution can work,” President Museveni
said.

He warned that politics based on identity rather than shared interests
often leads to prolonged conflict.

Reflecting on Uganda’s own experience, President Museveni
emphasized that prosperity depends on cooperation and integration
rather than division.

“As a cattle keeper, I produce milk, beef, and bananas. Whoever buys
from me makes me happy. It is not just my tribe that supports my
prosperity, it is Ugandans and even the wider region,” he said.

“That is why unity is important. Dividing people is short-sighted.”
The President also called on developed countries to support economic
transformation in poorer regions, arguing that global prosperity benefits
everyone.

“If you are a smart businessman, why would you want to trade with a
poor person?” he asked. “If people have income and wealth, they will
buy your products. That is why the world should work towards global
affluence.”

On the other hand, President Museveni congratulated the Muslim
community for observing the holy month of Ramadan and commended
Ugandans for maintaining unity and rejecting sectarian politics.

“I welcome all our Muslim brothers and sisters. I congratulate you for
fasting during this holy month of Ramadan. It is not yet over, but we
have already gone some distance.”

President Museveni also thanked Ugandans, including the Muslim
community, for their continued support and for embracing the message
of unity that the NRM government has consistently advocated.

“I want to thank the Muslims and all Ugandans for massively supporting
us during the just concluded elections. I also congratulate you because
when we asked you to avoid sectarianism and love all Ugandans
irrespective of their differences, you listened,” he said.

According to President Museveni, Uganda’s political stability over the
years has largely been a result of rejecting divisive identity politics based
on religion, tribe, or ethnicity.

He noted that Uganda once suffered from identity-based politics,
particularly during the early years around independence.

“In the 1962 elections, political parties were largely organized along
religious and sectarian lines. That poison nearly destroyed Uganda
because no party had a nationwide base,” President Museveni
explained.

He said the situation forced fragile alliances that eventually collapsed
and contributed to instability and conflict.

On her part, the Vice President, H.E Jessica Alupo thanked the
President and the First Lady, Janet Kataaha Museveni, for maintaining
the tradition of hosting the Muslim community for the annual Iftar dinner.

“Thank you, Your Excellency and Maama Janet, for extending this
annual invitation to our Muslim brothers and sisters to gather here at
State House to observe the Iftar dinner,” H.E Alupo said.

She congratulated Muslims upon reaching the later stages of Ramadan
and praised the spiritual values associated with the holy month.
“Ramadan reminds us of the key messages of faith—prayer,
thanksgiving, and fasting. I congratulate the Muslim community for the
journey you have undertaken during this sacred period,” she noted.

The Vice President also commended the theme of the event: ‘ Peace,
Unity and Reconciliation: Our Divine Mandate for Nation Building’,
saying it speaks directly to Uganda’s development aspirations.
“Without peace, development is not possible,” she said, adding that
Uganda has made significant progress in maintaining stability.
She further applauded the leadership of the President and the security
forces for preserving peace in the country.

“Uganda is an island of peace in this region. We should not take this for
granted. As citizens, we must all work together to preserve it.”

Meanwhile, the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Anita Annet Among,
thanked the Muslim community for its continued support to the country’s
leadership and national development.

She also revealed that discussions on the establishment of Kadhi courts
are currently before Parliament.

“The issue of Kadhi courts is before us in Parliament, and we appreciate
the trust that has been given to us to handle such important matters,”
she said.

Rt. Hon. Among also commended the President for sustaining the
tradition of hosting the Muslim community for Iftar at State House.
“We thank you for making this Iftar gathering a tradition and for your
continued support to the Muslim community in Uganda,” she added.

In his remarks, the Mufti of Uganda, Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubajje,
congratulated President Museveni on his re-election and praised the
government for promoting religious freedom and supporting Muslim
participation in national development.

“Your Excellency, we convey our sincere congratulations upon your re-
election under the National Resistance Movement,” the Mufti said.
He noted that the country has experienced institutional restoration and
socio-economic transformation over the years, adding that the Muslim
community appreciates the space given for freedom of worship.
“As the Quran reminds us, Allah loves those who are just. We commend
your leadership for supporting programs that promote national progress,”
he said.
The Mufti revealed that the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council has
registered Imams across the country and initiated programs aimed at
improving their livelihoods.

“We have successfully registered imams across Uganda and have
initiated Imam SACCOs to enable them participate actively in national
wealth creation programs,” he said.

He added that Uganda currently has about 16,300 mosques, which
serve as centers for spiritual guidance and community development.
He also mentioned the council has also established agricultural training
centers to support farmers with modern and certified farming practices.
“Many people plant crops without proper knowledge of how to manage
them. We have opened various training centers to provide farmers with
technical skills that will improve productivity,” he explained.

The Mufti also expressed concern about conflicts in parts of the world,
particularly in the Middle East, calling for renewed commitment to peace.
“The ongoing conflicts are affecting humanity and causing loss of life.
The world must renew its commitment to peace and mutual
understanding. May Allah help us,” he said.

He further noted that recent global developments could affect Ugandan
pilgrims planning to travel for the annual Hajj pilgrimage.
Sheikh Ashraf Mutagubya, a lecturer at the Islamic University in Uganda
(IUIU), noted that the holy month of Ramadan offers Muslims an
opportunity for spiritual reflection and wisdom.

“During Ramadan, Muslims dedicate more time to reading the Quran
and deepening their understanding of faith. It is a period that makes
believers more reflective, and the wisdom gained during this holy month
should guide us even beyond Ramadan,” he said.

He added that peace and reconciliation remain essential for the progress
of both the Muslim community and the nation at large.

“Through peace and reconciliation, we can develop more inclusively as a
community and as a nation,” Sheikh Mutagubya said.

He also commended the government for recognizing the role of Muslims
in national development, particularly through the introduction of Islamic
banking and finance reforms.
“For many years, Muslims have longed to participate more actively in
national development. His Excellency saw it fit to consider our faith by
introducing Islamic banking and finance, which has created an important
opportunity for our community,” he noted.
Sheikh Mutagubya further acknowledged the government’s leadership in
maintaining stability in Uganda and encouraged Muslims to remain
active contributors to the country’s progress.
“The government has carried the burden of leadership and ensured that
our nation remains stable in this region. As Uganda continues to move
forward, Muslims should not remain spectators but partners in building
our country through productive patriotism,” he said.
“May Allah grant you strength where leadership is heavy and wisdom
where judgment is required. May this Ramadan strengthen our unity and
commitment to justice. May Allah bless Uganda, its leadership, and unite
its people.”
The Iftar dinner brought together Muslim leaders and the faithful,
government officials including Ministers and Members of Parliament,
among other invited guests.