KAMPALA, Uganda — The Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) has flagged off eight students who are among the 23 Ugandan learners selected to benefit from scholarships offered by the prestigious Al-Azhar Al-Sharif University in Cairo, Egypt.
The students were officially flagged off by the UMSC Education Secretary, Sheikh Juma Bakhit Cucu, who represented the Mufti of Uganda, His Eminence Dr Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje, during a ceremony held at the Main Library of the Islamic Call University College (ICUC) at the UMSC headquarters in Old Kampala on Saturday, 25 July 2026.
The beneficiaries include seven male students and one female student: Kakungulu Abdu-Rashid, Mayanja Shurahu Dauda, Bukenya Uthuman, Kamoga Ukasha, Kavuma Ubaiba, Seruwu Ashiraf, Mbaziira Mubaraka, and Nagujja Zahara. All are former students of Namasenene Islamic Centre in Masaka Muslim District under the West Buganda Muslim Region.
Speaking at the event, Sheikh Cucu congratulated the students and urged them to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies so that they can acquire knowledge and skills that will benefit their communities and the nation upon their return.
He also announced that the Al-Azhar scholarship programme has resumed after several years of suspension, describing it as a significant milestone for Muslim education in Uganda.
“UMSC, as the mother body coordinating Muslim education in Uganda, continues to lobby for such opportunities. Whenever scholarship opportunities arise, we mobilise eligible students to apply. Selection is based purely on merit by the respective institutions offering the scholarships and not on favouritism,” Sheikh Cucu said.
He encouraged Muslim students, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, to work hard academically in order to qualify for such opportunities, noting that the scholarship programme serves as an affirmative action initiative aimed at supporting deserving learners.
Addressing parents and guardians, Sheikh Cucu advised them to remain actively involved in the welfare of their children while abroad, emphasising that universities may not cater for all students’ personal needs.
He urged parents to maintain regular communication with their children and continue offering parental guidance and support throughout their studies in Cairo.
Earlier, Sheikh Fahad Lubowa, Director of Studies for Islamic Theology at Namasenene Islamic Centre, spoke on behalf of parents and teachers, commending UMSC for its continued efforts to secure educational opportunities for Muslim learners.
He expressed gratitude to the Council and all stakeholders whose support enabled the students to earn scholarships to study at one of the world’s most respected institutions of higher learning.
The scholarship programme is expected to strengthen Uganda’s pool of scholars and professionals, while enhancing educational ties between Uganda and Egypt through Al-Azhar’s long-standing tradition of academic excellence.
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