MSAU CONCLUDES LANDMARK EDUCATIONAL AND LEADERSHIP VISIT TO KENYA, STRENGTHENING EAST AFRICAN MUSLIM STUDENT COOPERATION

KAMPALA, UGANDA | 12TH AUGUST 2026

The Muslim Students’ Association of Uganda (MSAU) has successfully concluded its 2026 educational, leadership and networking visit to Nairobi, Kenya, following a week of engagements designed to strengthen Muslim student leadership, academic excellence, regional cooperation and brotherhood between young Muslims in Uganda and Kenya.

The delegation, comprising approximately 70 Muslim student leaders and senior members from Uganda, concluded the programme on Wednesday, 12th August 2026, after participating in leadership conferences, educational and institutional visits, networking sessions, sports activities, career-guidance engagements and recreational tours in Nairobi.

The visit was undertaken in partnership with the Association of Muslims in Universities and Colleges in Kenya (AMUCK), which coordinated and hosted the Ugandan delegation during its stay in Nairobi.

The programme was also supported through partnerships and engagements involving Education for Africa (EFA), WAMY High School Nairobi, SaMaFa Prosperity Foundation, together with other leaders, institutions and stakeholders who contributed to the successful implementation of the visit.

DELEGATION FLAGGED OFF AT UMSC HEADQUARTERS

The journey began with a flag-off programme at the headquarters of the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) in Old Kampala, where student and Muslim leaders gathered to see off the delegation as it embarked on the regional educational mission.

Among the leaders present was Hon. Habib Mustafa, National Chairman of the UMSC Youth Council, who encouraged the young leaders to use the opportunity to learn, establish meaningful relationships and represent Uganda's Muslim student community positively.

The delegation was also officially flagged off by Hon. Mwindu Anselm Makiika, the 36th Secretary for International Affairs of the Uganda National Students’ Association (UNSA).

The official setting-off programme identified UMSC Headquarters in Old Kampala as the starting point of the journey, with the delegation scheduled to travel through the Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU) Main Campus in Mbale before continuing to Nairobi, Kenya.

Before departure, the programme provided for Qur'an recitation and remarks from MSAU President H.E. Wasswa Hassan Sahafu, MSAU Executive Secretary Mr. Bukenya Hamiis, Hon. Mwindu Anselm Makiika and UMSC Deputy Secretary General Hon. Muhammad Ali Aluma, among other officials.

The flag-off represented more than the beginning of a physical journey. It marked an effort to expose Muslim student leaders to regional experiences that could help them develop stronger leadership skills and establish networks extending beyond Uganda.

STOPOVER AT IUIU MAIN CAMPUS, MBALE

From Old Kampala, the delegation travelled eastwards and made a scheduled stop at the Islamic University in Uganda Main Campus in Mbale.

The official programme provided for the delegates to rest at IUIU, perform Maghrib and Isha prayers and receive an address from the organising committee before dinner.

The stopover also provided an important logistical point before the international leg of the journey.

Luggage was loaded and travel documents verified before the delegation departed Mbale for Nairobi. The official programme scheduled departure from IUIU for 10:00 p.m.

The delegation thereafter proceeded towards the Uganda–Kenya border before continuing to Nairobi.

70-MEMBER UGANDAN DELEGATION RECEIVED IN NAIROBI

Upon arrival in Nairobi, the Ugandan delegation was welcomed under the leadership and coordination of the Association of Muslims in Universities and Colleges in Kenya (AMUCK).

WAMY High School, South B, Nairobi, served as an important base for the delegation and hosted some of the educational and leadership activities.

The arrival marked the beginning of several days of interaction between Muslim student leaders from Uganda and their Kenyan counterparts.

Through the programme, participants were able to share experiences on Muslim student leadership, organisational development, education, personal development and service to society.

For MSAU, the visit provided an opportunity for its leaders to observe how Muslim student organisations and partner institutions in Kenya organise their activities while simultaneously sharing Uganda's own experiences.

LEADERSHIP BEYOND TITLES

One of the major highlights was a University Student Leadership Session held at WAMY High School Conference Hall in partnership with Education for Africa.

The session was organised under the broader theme:

“LEADERSHIP BEYOND CAMPUS”

with a focus on:

“LEADERSHIP BEYOND TITLES: BUILDING INFLUENCE THROUGH SERVICE.”

The leadership engagement brought together university student leaders from different institutions to exchange ideas, build knowledge and strengthen their capacity to create meaningful impact within their communities and beyond.

The session was facilitated by Prof. Mohamed Abdinoor Dahir, PhD, an educator, scholar and leadership expert.

Participants were encouraged to understand that leadership extends beyond holding a title or occupying an elected position. Effective leadership, the session emphasised, is demonstrated through service, influence, responsibility and the ability to positively transform communities.

The engagement therefore provided the young leaders with an opportunity to reflect on how their leadership experience on campus can prepare them for greater responsibilities within the Muslim community and wider society.

EXPOSURE TO KENYA'S JUSTICE AND GOVERNANCE INSTITUTIONS

The educational programme extended beyond conference halls.

The MSAU delegation visited the Supreme Court of Kenya, where participants received exposure to issues of governance, justice, institutional leadership and the role of national institutions in society.

For student leaders, the visit offered an opportunity to appreciate leadership from an institutional and national perspective rather than exclusively through student organisations.

Such exposure is particularly important for young leaders who may later serve in government, civil society, education, business, religious institutions and other sectors.

UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI VISIT

The delegation also visited the University of Nairobi, where participants were exposed to academic, research and career-guidance experiences.

The visit provided an opportunity for the Ugandan student leaders to benchmark approaches that could contribute to improving career guidance and academic excellence among students back home.

The delegation particularly reflected on how stronger career guidance could support Ugandan students as the country implements changes in its education system, including the new secondary-school curriculum.

The engagements demonstrated that cooperation between Muslim student organisations can go beyond religious activities and include academic development, professional preparation, innovation and career advancement.

MSAU–AMUCK UNITY AND BROTHERHOOD LUNCHEON

Another major highlight of the programme was the AMUCK–MSAU Unity and Brotherhood Luncheon held in Nairobi.

The gathering brought together representatives of the two Muslim student organisations, religious leaders, education stakeholders and other guests in an environment designed to strengthen relationships between the Ugandan and Kenyan Muslim student communities.

The luncheon included addresses and interactions involving leaders from MSAU and AMUCK.

Among those participating in the programme was Sheikh Sukyan Omar, Chief Kadhi of the Republic of Kenya, whose presence further demonstrated the importance placed on nurturing and mentoring Muslim youth and student leadership.

The gathering provided space for participants to discuss unity, leadership and cooperation while establishing personal and institutional relationships capable of continuing beyond the visit.

MSAU RECEIVES CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION

During the Nairobi engagements, MSAU received a Certificate of Appreciation from AMUCK in recognition of its participation in the visit and commitment to strengthening cooperation among Muslim students in the region.

The certificate was received by H.E. Wasswa Hassan Sahafu, President of the Muslim Students’ Association of Uganda, during the leadership programme in Nairobi.

The presentation was witnessed by Muslim leaders and other stakeholders participating in the programme.

The recognition was welcomed by MSAU as an important symbol of the growing relationship between the Muslim student communities of Uganda and Kenya.

Rather than marking the end of an engagement, the certificate represents an opportunity for the two organisations to build a longer-term relationship based on student leadership, education, networking, mentorship and Islamic brotherhood.

FOOTBALL FRIENDLY BUILDS BROTHERHOOD

The visit also recognised the importance of sports in bringing young people together.

A friendly football match was organised between the visiting MSAU delegation and AMUCK.

The Kenyan side emerged victorious and was presented with a trophy and medals in recognition of its performance.

The award ceremony was graced by MSAU President H.E. Wasswa Hassan Sahafu and representatives of Education for Africa.

While there was a winner on the pitch, the larger objective was friendship.

The match provided another platform for students from Uganda and Kenya to interact outside formal conference settings, strengthening relationships, teamwork and brotherhood.

DELEGATION TOURS NAIROBI

The educational mission also included recreational and exposure visits to selected places in Nairobi.

Among the places visited was Nairobi National Park, where members of the delegation had an opportunity to experience Kenya's tourism and natural heritage.

These activities complemented the leadership and academic components of the programme by giving the participants time to interact informally and establish friendships.

The combination of education, leadership, institutional exposure, networking, sports and tourism made the visit a broad learning experience for the participating students.

PARTNERS, HOSTS AND SUPPORTERS MAKE THE VISIT POSSIBLE

MSAU expressed its appreciation to the organizations and individuals whose partnership, sponsorship, hosting and logistical support contributed to the success of the Kenya programme.

Special appreciation was extended to the Association of Muslims in Universities and Colleges in Kenya (AMUCK) for receiving, coordinating and hosting the Ugandan delegation and facilitating its engagements in Nairobi.

MSAU also appreciated WAMY High School Nairobi for providing a conducive environment and facilities for the delegation and programme activities.

Education for Africa (EFA) contributed to the leadership-development component of the visit, including the University Student Leadership Session that focused on building influence through service.

The programme activities also featured the participation and support of the SaMaFa Prosperity Foundation, alongside the various institutions, facilitators, Muslim leaders and stakeholders who welcomed and engaged the Ugandan delegation.

MSAU further appreciated the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council and its Youth Council leadership for supporting the delegation at the beginning of the journey, as well as IUIU Main Campus in Mbale for receiving the team during its transit to and from Kenya.

The cooperation of these institutions demonstrated the value of partnerships in creating opportunities for young Muslim leaders to acquire knowledge, exposure and networks beyond their own institutions and national borders.

BUILDING REGIONAL MUSLIM STUDENT COOPERATION

The MSAU Kenya visit comes at a time when young Muslims across East Africa are increasingly being challenged to participate meaningfully in education, entrepreneurship, leadership and community development while maintaining their Islamic identity and values.

Regional student exchanges can therefore provide a practical platform through which young Muslims learn from one another and develop networks that may continue into their professional and community lives.

The interaction between MSAU and AMUCK demonstrated the potential for stronger collaboration between Muslim student organisations across East Africa.

Areas for future cooperation could include leadership development, academic exchange, mentorship, career guidance, research, entrepreneurship, sports and joint Islamic programmes.

The visit also enabled the students to appreciate that challenges affecting Muslim youth in the region often cross national borders and can benefit from collaborative solutions.

DELEGATION RETURNS TO UGANDA

After completing the scheduled activities in Nairobi, the MSAU Kenya Visit officially concluded on Wednesday, 12th August 2026.

The delegation then embarked on its return journey to Uganda, bringing to an end several days of leadership engagements, educational exposure, institutional visits, networking and brotherhood.

The return journey was expected to conclude through the Islamic University in Uganda Main Campus in Mbale, bringing the delegation back to one of the important points through which its international journey had begun.

The students returned with new experiences, contacts and lessons expected to contribute to their respective institutions and Muslim student communities.

MSAU thanked Almighty Allah for granting the delegation a safe and successful programme and prayed that the knowledge, friendships and partnerships established during the visit would translate into lasting benefits for Muslim students in Uganda, Kenya and the wider East African region.

The association also thanked the parents, institutions, student leaders, sponsors, partners, hosts and well-wishers whose contributions and prayers supported the delegation throughout the journey.

The successful completion of the visit marks another milestone in MSAU's efforts to develop a generation of Muslim students who are academically capable, spiritually grounded, service-oriented and prepared to contribute positively to society.

Alhamdulillah for the successful MSAU Visit to Kenya 2026.

UGANDA 🇺🇬 🤝 KENYA 🇰🇪

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