Uganda’s Muslim community is celebrating the historic launch of Tamini General Insurance, the country’s first Sharia-compliant insurance company, and has expressed gratitude to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for making it possible. The launch took place on March 3, 2026, at Millennium Park – Lugogo, Kampala, during an Iftar dinner organized by Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo, Senior Presidential Advisor for Political Affairs and Head of the NRM National Chairman’s Office.
Tamini General Insurance, a venture by Saalam Group, offers Sharia-compliant insurance services based on mutual guarantees between insurers and the insured. The firm aims to provide affordable, ethical, and inclusive financial solutions for low- and middle-income earners and to transform Uganda’s insurance landscape.
President Museveni welcomed Tamini and Salaam Bank to Uganda, noting the country’s growing population, projected to reach 100 million by 2050, and encouraged the Muslim community to focus on investment and wealth creation rather than consumptive spending. He said:
“Insurance is about preparing so that in case anything goes wrong, you have backup. When you borrow, you invest, but what if things do not go as planned? I thank Tamini Insurance for completing the cycle.”
The President also highlighted government initiatives like the Parish Development Model (PDM) to fight poverty, emphasizing inclusive approaches such as matrilineal beneficiary selection to ensure wider participation, including women-led and polygamous families. He pledged increased financial support for Muslim women’s families, raising funds from Shs 2 billion to Shs 20 billion.
Muslim leaders, including Sheikh Abud Obed Kamulegaya, Head of Sheikhs at Old Kampala Mosque and the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC), and Mufti Sheikh Shabban Ramadhan Mubajje, personally thanked President Museveni for launching the country’s first Islamic insurance firm. Mubajje encouraged the community to adopt Tamini Insurance just as they have used conventional insurance, highlighting its ethical, safe, and reliable approach.
Mohamed Bahdon, Group CEO of Tamini Insurance, outlined the firm’s pillars: ethical investment, transparent oversight, and collective participation. He noted that farmers accessing Halal financing from Salaam Bank can now insure their crops through Tamini, helping Uganda shift from a consuming nation to a producing nation.
Alhaji Ibrahim Kaddunabbi Lubega, CEO of the Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA), said Uganda’s insurance sector has grown to over Shs 2 trillion, and the entry of Sharia-compliant insurance provides new opportunities for growth. Globally, Sharia-based insurance is valued at USD 36.6 billion and is expected to reach USD 75 billion by 2033, offering Uganda a chance to tap into this growing market.
Other attendees, including Sheikh Muhammad Yunus Kamoga, praised President Museveni for promoting unity among Muslims, supporting Islamic education, and establishing financial institutions. He also requested pardons for two Muslims currently detained, highlighting the President’s history of forgiveness and inclusivity.
The launch of Tamini General Insurance is expected to focus on inclusive coverage, particularly for informal sector workers and communities in disaster-prone areas, marking a new era in Uganda’s financial and Islamic economic landscape.
In summary, Uganda’s Muslim community warmly thanked President Museveni for launching Tamini General Insurance, viewing it as a historic milestone that promotes Sharia-compliant, ethical financial solutions and encourages economic empowerment and financial inclusion.
