By Julius Mugaga Tukacungurwa/Umoja Standard.
Lwengo, Greater Masaka: On Tuesday, 11th/April/2023 Eng. Ssalongo Kalule Bashir- the Principal Advisor on Council of Lwengo District Khadi’s Office and renowned engineer with long term experience in building Moslem Masjids paid a courtesy visit to Volunteer Uganda Extra Limited (VUEL) offices in Lwengo District and had a wonderful talk with Mr. Tushabe Bruce Nzabanita, the President of the Organization.
Volunteer Uganda Extra Ltd is a corporate” persona” (body) incorporated under the company Act 2012 Laws of Uganda encapsulated with the mandate to fight corruption, protection of human rights, ensuring transparency and accountability of public funds, Legal protection and the rule of laws.
Eng. Ssalongo Kalule Bashir- the Principal Advisor on Council of Lwengo District Khadi’s Office pends his signature in visitation book of Volunteer Uganda Extra Limited on his visit at their office in Lwengo District.
In his submission, Eng. Kalule brought to Bruce’s attention that he has observed that Parish Development Model (PDM) funds directed to Muslims in Lwengo are misappropriated an issue that must be rectified.
“My request to Volunteer Uganda is that come and intervene into this matter because the PDM funds do not go to people who are supposed to have it yet President Museveni endorsed this fund for the poor, this bothers me”. Said Eng. Kalule.
He went on to ask Volunteer Uganda under stewardship of its President Bruce Tushabe Nzabanita to analyze the situation of roads in Lwengo district, saying that they are in a wanting condition.
As well, he sought that VUEL should also intervene and analyze the criteria in which Lwengo District Service Commission executes own duties and must be balanced. On this however, he hailed Volunteer Uganda Extra for partnering with Lwengo District Chairperson Kitatta Ibrahim Almalik and his council in trying to streamline the duties of the Commission when it (Volunteer Uganda) wrote a letter seeking for halting of duties of the commission with claims of not being fully instituted to perform tasks which succeeded.
Initially in its setting, legally the District Service Commission is supposed to consist of its Chairperson, People with Disabilities (PWDs) representative, Urban authorities representative, Women representative and a member.
In his reception remarks, Bruce Tushabe Nzabanita- the President of Volunteer Uganda Extra Limited (VUEL) hailed Eng. Ssalongo Kalule Bashir for the tremendous work he is doing in Muslim space by building most Masjids in Lwengo district and Greater Masaka as a whole, ‘your legacy will live to be remembered’.
Mr. Tushabe advised all Muslims fasting in this Holly month of Ramadhan to abhor bad acts but be humble in emulation of the good deeds of Prophet Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Him) of humbleness, patience, kindness, heartfelt offering and others. He said however, this should not only be exhibited by Muslims but also people from other faith organizations because at the end of the day we believe in the same God.
He went on to ask the public not to distort Muslim’s period of fasting by erupting toxic words towards them or where they are gathered like on WhatsApp platforms, physical gatherings and others rather give them respect as well not tempting them into anything as this will make them not achieve their target of submitting to Allah.
Bruce Tushabe Nzabanita- the President of Volunteer Uganda Extra Limited (VUEL).
“Prophet Mohammed said that having a neighbor is very important. He stated that if it wasn’t oppressing them, keeping them in bad situation and disrupting their activities, a neighbor would be your own heir and in this he forgave”. Bruce stated.
“There was a sect with which they did not agree with for sometime but Prophet Mohammed asked fellows to accept and forgive that sect with a reason that they are our neighbors”. He added.
“There was an old person who usually deposited own waste in Prophet’s way and had nowhere to pass and usually dodged wastes to find his way home but for about three consecutive days, the Prophet ceased to see this old person and questioned, where did the old person go? they responded she is across, Prophet Mohammed went, visited and prayed for her, she got healed and since then she lauded Islam as a generous religion. I therefore implore all people both Muslims and non-Muslims to emulate the deeds of the Prophet”. Bruce Emphasized.
“One day as young boy, Prophet Muhammed met an old man carrying heavy luggage on his head and offered himself to lift for him up to his home, they served food and he (Prophet Mohammed) ate well knowing they were not Muslims. When Prophet Muhammed stood up to go, the old man asked, who is your father, he responded and the old man found out that his (Prophet) father is the exact man he (old man) has been abusing regularly for promoting Islam. The old man felt low and told youthful prophet that by your good deeds, I recognize Islam as a wonderful faith all people should yearn for”. Bruce Tushabe Nzabanita narrated and packaged Muslims and non-Muslims.
For that reason, therefore, Bruce hailed the visit of Engineer Ssalongo Kalule Bashir and for the fruitful conversation the two had in as far as developing Muslims, other people and good governance is concerned.
Conclusively, Bruce vowed not to slow down on matters concerning fighting corruption, advocating for rule of law, transparency, human rights and others.