Muslims across Uganda have been encouraged to take full advantage of government wealth creation programs to improve household incomes and contribute to national development.
This call was made by Ramathan Ggoobi, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Finance, while delivering government message during Eid prayers at Gaddafi Mosque at Old Kampala.
Speaking after the successful completion of the holy month of Ramadan, Ggoobi congratulated the Muslim Ummah and emphasized the importance of applying the values learned during the fasting period, discipline, honesty, sacrifice, compassion, and peace not only in religious life but also in economic transformation.
“Government’s message is simple: these are not political funds, these are not sectarian funds, these are economic development funds,” Ggoobi said.
“I encourage all of us to take full advantage of these programs to start and expand wealth creation ventures and improve household incomes.”
He noted that Uganda is currently investing about Shs2.4 trillion annually in wealth creation initiatives, with over Shs10 trillion injected into such programs over the past decade.
Ggoobi added that these investments are meant to create opportunities for citizens, while individuals must take the initiative to utilize them.
He highlighted that the Muslim community is well-positioned to benefit from these programs, as many of the priority sectors such as agriculture, trade, tourism, and Islamic finance align with halal economic principles that promote ethical business and lawful earning.
He further stressed that Uganda’s economic transformation agenda aims to grow the economy to USD500 billion by 2040, anchored on key sectors including commercial agriculture, tourism, mineral development, and science and technology.
Linking faith to development, Ggoobi cited teachings from the Holy Quran, noting that prosperity is tied to effort and productivity.
He emphasized that while government creates opportunities, it is the responsibility of citizens to seize them.
Ggoobi also underscored the importance of peace, describing it as Uganda’s greatest investment attraction.
“Peace is not just a security achievement. Peace is Uganda’s biggest investment attraction policy,” he said, adding that stability has enabled growth in tourism, trade, and job creation.
He further Ugandans to protect national unity and work hard to secure prosperity.
“Uganda’s future will not be determined by how much government spends, but by how much we the citizens produce,” Ggoobi said.
The Eid prayers brought together hundreds of Muslims, marking the end of Ramadan with messages of faith, unity, and a renewed call for economic participation.
