By Sadique Bamwita
ENTEBBE
The management of Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) on March 25, 2025, hosted the Entebbe Muslim community for Iftar dinner held at Entebbe international Airport.
The chairperson Board of Directors at the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) Retired Deputy Chief Justice Steven Kavuma said the dinner is clear evidence that gone are the days when the Muslim fraternity was being marginalized.
Justice Steven Kavuma commended entities that have established a balanced society where people feel they belong to one country without being discriminated or marginalized based on religion arguing that religion is a personal choice.
‘I thank those who have played part in establishing a balanced society so that we all feel one people belonging to one country without discrimination and marginalization based on one’s religion,” he said adding that when we are here, we are looking for a good life and when we go to meet the creator, we take different roads and that should not be the cause for marginalizing anyone who has taken a particular path to reach a destination, ‘Justice Kavuma cautioned against marginalization.
Justice Kavuma continued:” I thank my Muslim brothers and sisters who have religiously obeyed the teaching of the Quran which provides for multiplication and filling the world.
‘The importance of numerical strength is very crucial especially in the modern world. We still have enough land in our country. Our country is the same size of Great Britain whose population is twice that of our country. We should not be scared that Uganda is a small country and that we should produce a few children.
‘ It’s a philosophy by God that by the time you are created in the mother’s womb you already have the capacity to meet all the challenges in life and be able to conquer them. If we don’t multiply and become marginalized as a community, those who want to come and occupy this land are very many. There are some people seated very many kilometers away but with a thought of taking away some parts of the world.
The Director General Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA), Fred Bamwesigye, gave assurance that the authority is committed to fostering inclusivity regardless of one’s religion adding that the Muslim community greatly contributes to traffic numbers especially during their pilgrimage to Mecca-the holiest city in Saudi Arabia.
“In the last 2 years, we have had improvement in our airport facilities and thanks to the number of passengers that continue to increase. It’s true that increase in number of passengers is generated by the Muslim community. Muslims contribute greatly during the holy pilgrimage to Mecca. Many of you are rich business people especially those who make destinations to Dubai for various purposes. The number is around 45000 Muslims which is a big contribution especially during big days of Muslim migrations.
The Chairperson of Entebbe Airport Muslim Association, Mr. Bashir Ndahura, appreciated the Iftar dinner organized by Uganda Civil Aviation Authority and asked God to reward the Director General of the Authority for being passionate about the Islamic faith.
Sheikh Abdallah Segujja in his sermon during the Iftar dinner urged Muslims to respect their parents and to avoid being so mean but instead be generous in order to be rewarded by Allah (God).
