The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Kalungu, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Ahmed Nyombi Mukiibi, the Kalungu LC5 chairman is under fire from the Muslim community in the district over flouting Islamic principles. Trouble for Mukiibi started when he was seen physically handing pigs to beneficiaries under the Operation Wealth Creation (OWC) program at the district headquarters in Kaasabale village on Monday.
Mukiibi carried the pigs one by one as he handed them over to the respective beneficiaries. He defended his action saying that as a leader, he had to lead by example and ensure the pigs reach the right people.
He also noted that as a politician, it was okay to demonstrate to his electorate that he serves people of different religions, adding that development should not be impeded by religious beliefs whatsoever.
Earlier on, Mukiibi highlighted the value of pigs to the agricultural sector and food security.
He appealed to the beneficiaries to protect the pigs jealously since animal theft is common in the district especially as the Christmas season nears.
Whereas his supporters cheered and applauded his action, the distressed Muslim community has castigated the act saying it was not only a violation of Islamic principles but also an insult.
Sheikh Badru Wasajja Kiruuta, the Kadhi Kalungu district and former Imam of Mariam mosque in Lukaya town council said that it is an abomination to touch and eat pork in the Islamic faith. He said Mukiibi went too far by touching the swine knowing that it was forbidden in the Islamic faith.
Sheikh Kiruuta said that initially, some Muslims had applied for the pigs through the OWC but they cautioned them against yearning for the pigs, saying it contravenes Islam. According to Sheikh Kiruuta, they intend to summon Mukiibi to explain why he carried the pigs yet he is one of the top Muslim figures in the district.
“Much as it is a government project, he would have called someone else to carry them during the distribution,” he said. However, Rashida Nanziri, one of the Muslims in the area said that what Mukiibi did was inappropriate when it comes to the Islamic faith but as a politician, there is no big deal for him since he wanted to please his supporters. Mukiibi is not the first Muslim politician to court trouble for distributing pigs.
The former Luwero LC V chairperson, Abdul Nadduli made headlines during his first tenure for openly distributing pigs as part of poverty alleviation programs. He drew wide condemnation from Muslims both in Luwero and other parts of the country.
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