Mbabazi reveals Uganda's bid to tap into $1.4 trillion global halal market
Former Prime Minister John Patrick Amama Mbabazi has revealed that President Yoweri Museveni tasked him with ensuring Uganda capitalizes on the lucrative global Halal market, valued at over $1.4 trillion.
Mbabazi disclosed this at a signing ceremony for a pioneering cooperation agreement aimed at enhancing Uganda's Halal certification standards.
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The agreement, signed in Kampala, brings together the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC), Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU), and Uganda Halal Bureau (UHB).
The collaboration seeks to elevate Uganda's Halal certification ecosystem to meet the standards set by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
"President Museveni assigned me the responsibility to ensure Uganda benefits from the global Halal market," Mbabazi stated.
"This market presents immense opportunities for our country, and we must position ourselves to take full advantage." he added
Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje, the Mufti of Uganda, signed on behalf of UMSC, with Hadji Abbas Muluubya Ssekyanzi, the Secretary General, acting as a witness.
Associate Professor Dr. Ismail Simbwa Gyagenda represented IUIU, with Counsel Sewankambo Hamza, the University Secretary, as a witness.
Mr. Sekandi Abdul Hakim, Chairman of the Board of Directors, signed for UHB, accompanied by Ms. Namaganda Safina, General Manager/Head of Certification & Technical Operations.
Mbabazi reminisced about his childhood, humorously recalling how "Halal meant beef slaughtered according to Islamic traditions," before emphasizing that Halal encompasses all permissible aspects in Islam.
He highlighted the establishment of a special subcommittee, led by HE Rashid Ssemudu, Ugandan Ambassador to Sudan and Qatar, which facilitated this agreement.
The subcommittee included collaboration with the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Trade & Industry, and the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS).
Mbabazi outlined the expected benefits of Ugandan Halal-certified products entering the global market, including industrial growth, job creation, foreign earnings, human resource training, and poverty alleviation.
Ambassador Ssemudu, the Mufti, the University Rector, and the Chairman of the Board of Directors of UHB delivered speeches praising the milestones achieved.
"This agreement marks a significant step towards ensuring our products meet international standards, opening up vast market opportunities," noted Mufti Mubaje.
The agreement defines the roles of the three signatories regarding accreditation, certification, and laboratory testing of products to meet OIC/SMIIC standards.
"This collaboration is a testament to our commitment to industrial growth and global market integration," emphasized Mbabazi.
