Supreme Mufti Distributes Zakat to Empower Vulnerable Muslims

What the report says

The Nile Post reports that Uganda’s Supreme Mufti, Sheikh Shaban Muhammad Galabuzi, has overseen a Zakat distribution aimed at helping vulnerable Muslims build income-generating livelihoods. The handover took place at the Office of the Supreme Mufti’s headquarters and involved religious leaders, Zakat committee members, beneficiaries and other members of the Muslim community.

According to the report, recipients were given items such as motorcycles, sewing machines, welding equipment and start-up cash. Officials said the support was intended to help beneficiaries launch or expand small businesses in areas including boda-boda transport, tailoring and metal fabrication, with the broader goal of reducing dependence and promoting financial independence.

Galabuzi said Zakat should be used to uplift people from poverty and create opportunities for self-reliance, rather than serve only as short-term relief. He also said the department had identified beneficiaries based on vulnerability and readiness to use the support productively, and that it would monitor how the equipment and funds were used.

The article says the programme targeted young people, women, persons with disabilities and others in need, and included orientation in entrepreneurship, savings and Islamic business ethics. More broadly, the initiative fits into the Office of the Supreme Mufti’s social welfare work, which the report says has also supported orphans, widows, older people and other vulnerable groups through education, healthcare and livelihood assistance.