Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) Education Secretary Sheikh Juma Bakhit Cucu has urged communities to enroll more children in Muslim-founded schools while calling for stronger partnerships to improve education and health services at the institutions.
Sheikh Cucu made the appeal during an inspection tour of UMSC-founded education institutions in Kalungu District, where he assessed school facilities and met administrators, teachers and health workers.
While visiting one of the schools, the education official praised its infrastructure and learning environment but expressed concern over low student enrollment despite the institution’s capacity to admit more learners.
“The school has good facilities and a conducive learning environment. What is needed now is stronger community mobilisation so that more parents enrol their children here instead of taking them to distant schools,” Sheikh Cucu said.
He encouraged school administrators to work closely with the UMSC Education Department so they can benefit from programs designed to strengthen academic standards and improve the performance of Muslim-founded institutions across the country.
The tour also took Sheikh Cucu to Kabukunge Primary Teachers’ College, an institution established by UMSC in the late 1970s before it was phased out following changes in the country’s teacher education system.
Inspecting the premises, he noted that several of the ageing buildings could be renovated and repurposed to continue supporting education and community development.
During the visit, Sheikh Cucu also viewed the foundation stone marking the commissioning of the college’s female dormitory in 1985 by the then Chief Kadhi of Uganda, Sheikh Abdu Obeid Kamulegeya. The dormitory was built with financial support mobilized by UMSC through the World Muslim League in Saudi Arabia.
At the former college’s health unit, now operating under Kabukunge Muslim Secondary School, medical workers raised concerns about persistent shortages of medicines and other essential medical supplies.
Health workers Madinah Mukasa and Nakubulwa Anita said the facility continues to provide medical services to surrounding communities but no longer receives supplies from the Uganda Muslim Medical Bureau, as it did in previous years.
“Despite serving the surrounding communities, we have continued operating without the medicines and other support we previously received from the Uganda Muslim Medical Bureau,” the health workers said.
In response, Sheikh Cucu pledged to present the concerns to the Uganda Muslim Medical Bureau for consideration, expressing hope that support could be restored to improve healthcare services at the facility.
The inspection concluded at Kabukunge Muslim Secondary School, where Sheikh Cucu met school administrators and discussed ways to strengthen educational programs and institutional development.
He said improving education requires collaboration between schools, communities and education stakeholders, adding that stronger partnerships will help expand access to quality learning while preserving the legacy of Muslim-founded institutions in Uganda.