Zombo Muslim leaders launch process to establish Imam’s SACCO to boost livelihoods
He noted that registration of members will commence once the necessary approvals are secured.
Zombo: The leadership of the newly established Zombo Muslim District under the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) has commenced the process of establishing the Imam’s SACCO Zombo Muslim District, an initiative aimed at improving the economic well-being of Imams and promoting broader community development.
According to district leaders, the SACCO formation process is at an advanced stage and is awaiting final clearance from the relevant regulatory authorities before its official launch.
The announcement follows a two-day capacity-building workshop held on July 4 and 5 at Jamia Mosque, the headquarters of the Zombo Muslim District in Warr Town Council. The training brought together Imams from 53 mosques across the district.
Participants received training in community needs assessment, sustainable livelihood strategies, communication skills, leadership of Islamic prayers, identification of qualified individuals for employment opportunities, and effective utilization of SACCO structures. The sessions were facilitated by professionals from the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council, the Community Development Office, and the Zombo District Commercial Department.
Speaking during the workshop, the Zombo District Kadhi, Sheikh Abdulaziz Kasim Amin, said the SACCO is intended to economically empower Imams while remaining open to the wider Muslim community.
“We are heading forward to forming a very big SACCO, the Imam’s SACCO for Zombo Muslim District, that will be used to enhance the livelihoods of the Imams within Zombo,” Sheikh Kasim said.
He noted that registration of members will commence once the necessary approvals are secured.
“The SACCO is not limited to Imams; anyone is welcome, and registration is in the pipeline. We shall soon have it launched. We call upon our community to support it,” he added.
The retreat, organized by the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council through the Zombo Muslim District Council and the Office of the District Kadhi, also focused on strengthening religious leadership and community development.
Topics discussed included the importance of social capital, mobilizing local networks to support mosque and community projects, trust-building, governance, financial management, and best practices in establishing and managing Savings and Credit Cooperative Organizations (SACCOs).
Community Development Officer Beriu Emmy led a session on the proposed Imam’s SACCO, guiding participants through the legal registration process, governance structures, financial record-keeping, and available support mechanisms. Officials from the Zombo District Commercial Department also facilitated discussions on cooperative management.
The workshop brought together several religious and civic leaders, including Religious Facilitator Sheikh Juruga Abdulrahim, Area Imam Sheikh Onena Ismail Abubakar, Commercial Officer William Onencan, Warr Centre Cell LC I Chairperson Ongwech Yusuf H., and Warr Town Council Mayor Ojok Wilfred.
Participants welcomed the initiative, saying the knowledge acquired would strengthen financial management and improve livelihoods within Muslim communities.
The initiative aligns with recent calls by Zombo Resident District Commissioner Festus Ayikobua urging Muslims to embrace government wealth-creation programmes such as the Parish Development Model (PDM), Emyooga, and the Youth Livelihood Programme (YLP).
The Zombo Muslim District was carved out of Nebbi Muslim District and officially inaugurated last month in Warr Town Council as part of the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council’s nationwide restructuring programme that created 17 new Muslim districts to improve service delivery to Uganda’s Muslim population.
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