The district Muslim chairperson echoed these sentiments, promising to engage more development partners to address pressing community needs, from income support to essential services.
In the heart of Iganga District, as the sun dipped below the horizon and the faithful prepared to break their fast, a different kind of nourishment was being shared—one of unity, partnership, and hope for a stronger future.
At Iganga Municipal Council Primary School, nearly 1,000 Muslims gathered for an iftar dinner organized by Centenary Bank in collaboration with district Muslim leaders. Some had been formally invited; others simply followed the spirit of togetherness that defines the fasting season. All were welcomed.
The evening was more than a meal. It became a platform for dialogue about development and empowerment.
District Khadi Sheikh Sinan Muwanika stood before the gathering with a heartfelt appeal. He called upon organizations and development partners to work hand in hand with Muslim leadership—not only during fasting seasons, but in long-term initiatives that uplift communities. He emphasized the importance of income-generating projects and improved service delivery, noting that cooperation was key to transforming livelihoods.
“Our community must be empowered economically,” he urged. “Through partnership, we can build sustainable projects that change lives.”
Yet his message extended beyond economics. Sheikh Muwanika turned to parents with a gentle but firm reminder: education is the bridge to opportunity. By educating their children, he said, Muslim families would strengthen their ability to build meaningful relationships with corporate institutions and individuals—relationships that make advocacy and progress easier.
The district Muslim chairperson echoed these sentiments, promising to engage more development partners to address pressing community needs, from income support to essential services.
Political leaders present also lent their voices to the cause. Iganga Municipality Member of Parliament-elect Abed Nasser Mudiobole and Woman MP-elect Mariam Seif praised the bank’s initiative, noting how the iftar had united Muslims in fellowship.
They appealed to financial institutions to consider Muslims in employment opportunities and to support service projects such as street lighting and road renovations within the municipality. At the same time, they encouraged residents to embrace banking services as tools for development.
Representing the bank, Chief Manager for Corporate Affairs Hajji Hussein Rashid Ssemanda explained that the iftar was part of the bank’s commitment to social corporate responsibility. He revealed that sh91m had been set aside to host similar iftar dinners across the country during the fasting season.
In a significant announcement, Ssemanda shared that the bank had finalized its Islamic banking program. The initiative would allow Muslims to access financial services, including loans structured without interest—an option aligned with Islamic principles. He encouraged the community to take advantage of the program to grow businesses and improve their livelihoods.
As plates were shared and prayers quietly spoken, the atmosphere carried a sense of renewed purpose. What began as a simple breaking of the fast became a symbol of collaboration between faith leaders, politicians, and corporate partners.
In Iganga that evening, the call was clear: through unity, education, and strategic partnerships, the Muslim community could strengthen not only its faith during Ramadan—but its future for generations to come.
