The Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC), Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU), and Uganda Halal Bureau (UHB) have signed a groundbreaking cooperation agreement aimed at scaling up the Halal certification ecosystem to meet world standards established by the Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC).
The signing ceremony, which lasted nearly an hour, was held on May 22, 2024, at Crested Towers in Kampala. The event was graced by Rt. Hon. Amama Mbabazi, the former Ugandan Premier and current Presidential Envoy to the Great Lakes Region, including Ethiopia.
His Eminence Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje, the Mufti of Uganda, represented UMSC, with Hon. Hadji Abbas Muluubya Ssekyanzi, the Secretary General, serving as a witness. Associate Professor Dr. Ismail Simbwa Gyagenda signed on behalf of IUIU, with Counsel Sewankambo Hamza University Secretary, as the witness. Mr. Sekandi Abdul Hakim, Chairman of the Board of Directors, signed on behalf of UHB, with Ms. Namaganda Safina, General Manager/Head of Certification & Technical Operations, as the witness.
In his opening remarks, Rt. Hon. Amama Mbabazi highlighted the background of the agreement, noting that President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni tasked him with ensuring that Uganda, as a member of the OIC, benefits from the global Halal market, estimated to be worth over $1.4 trillion. He shared a lighthearted moment, recalling how, in his childhood, “Halaal meant beef slaughtered according to Islamic traditions.” Halaal is a broad term for anything permissible in Islam.
IUIUAA
Muhndo Mubaraka.