BY BUSEIN SAMILU
President Museveni has announced that he will meet with the leadership of the Muslim community in Uganda, to explain to him how the Parish Development Model (PDM) in any way contradicts the Islamic faith.
Speaking at the official launch of Islamic Banking at Kololo ceremonial grounds on Wednesday, March 27, Mr Museveni said that his ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) does discriminate against any faith that is why concerns raised by Muslims that the current arrangement of the PDM contradicts with their faith because it encourages charging Riba (interest).
“If you convince me that the PDM and Emyooga money have some contradictions as per the Islamic teachings, then I will find a way how I send your money directly to this bank,” he said, adding, “I am going to meet your Sheikhs because I don’t want to do something, and tomorrow the Catholics, Protestants or other faith also come saying that I am not fair,”
The President’s remarks came shortly after the National Coordinator of the Office of the National Chairman (ONC) Ms Hadijah Namyalo informed him that Muslims are left out on PDM because of Riba associated with it.
“We want to get rich but as well can’t annoy God by doing what is central to our faith…..we partnered with Salaam Bank to ensure that this function takes place. On behalf of other Muslims, I request you to guide us on how we shall also benefit from the government,” she said.
The PDM initiative was launched on February 26, 2022, in Kibuku. as a strategy to improve service delivery and alleviate poverty at the grassroots level.
It focuses on uplifting the 39 percent population in the subsistence economy to the money economy through seven pillars including; production, storage, processing and marketing; infrastructure and economic services; financial inclusion; social services; mindset change; parish-based management information system and governance and administration.
