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Sheikh Abdul Karim Abdallah Katamba, the Regional Assistant to the Mufti for the Ankole-Kigezi Region, closed a one-day education workshop for Muslim education stakeholders held at the Ntugamu Muslim district headquarters. He represented His Eminence Dr. Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje, the Mufti of Uganda.
Present at the workshop were members of the National Education team, including Sheikh Juma Bakhit Cucu, the UMSC Education Secretary, Haj Muhamood Kateregga Namuguzi Sebuganda, the Chairperson of the National Education Committee, Mr. Ashiraf Twalib Kuba, the Administrative Secretary, Hon. Sophie Safina Kenyangi of the National Muslim Women Council, Dr. Ismail Gainamungu Isigoma, a National Executive member, and Geoffrey Mucungunzi, the Resident District Commissioner of Ntugamu Local Government District. Additionally, the Muslim district leadership, County Sheikhs, Imams led by Sheikh Swaleh Kashangirwe, the host Kadhi, Mr. Tuzaairwe Robert, the Inspector of Schools, Ms. Ampire Sakina, the District Muslim Woman Representative, and various headteachers were in attendance.
The participants were sensitized on their roles in decision-making concerning the enhancement of quality education in Muslim-founded educational institutions. Sheikh Cucu, the main facilitator, detailed the roles of each stakeholder. He emphasized that headteachers, being technical, serve as Secretaries to School Management Committees. They need to have working plans based on the Education Act, UMSC Education Policy, and set up subcommittees in areas such as school infrastructure, academics, discipline, finances, and adequate staffing. They should also have mechanisms to fill gaps if the Education Ministry has not deployed enough teachers, ensure learning takes place, collaborate with other performing learning centers, and implement all planned activities according to the budget.
Haj Kateregga reminded Muslim leaders to mobilize parents to enroll their children in schools to reduce the high rate of school dropouts. He also reminded headteachers to renew their school management committees, as many existing ones have expired beyond the mandated five years.
Hon. Kenyangi delivered a new set of sewing machines, successfully lobbied from the Ntugamu District Woman Legislator to the National Parliament, Hon. Madam Kamateneti Bata, to promote vocational skilling of female youths and women. Mr. Mucungunzi, the RDC, pledged more government support in promoting education in the district.
Prior to the workshop, the education team, led by Sheikh Cucu, visited Kabale. They were received by Sheikh Kaabu Lule, the Kadhi, and visited three schools: Ndorwa Senior Secondary School, Ndorwa Muslim Primary School, and Taufiq Islamic Primary School. Sheikh Cucu interacted with staff, students, and pupils at these schools.
Zziwa Ashiraf
UMSC Spokesperson.