Busoga Muslim leaders condemn drug trafficking to Mecca
Oct 30, 2024
The vice of selling drugs by Ugandans in Mecca has tainted the image of Uganda, especially among the Muslim community, where Ugandans are being referred to as conmen (bafere).
R-L: Sheik Shiwuyo, Bowa, Kiliswa, Naigaga and other Muslim leaders cutting cake at the event. (Photo by Ivan Wakibi)
Ivan Wakibi
Journalist @New Vision
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Busoga regional Muslim Khadi Sheik Mohammad Bowa has rebuked drug traffickers who disguise themselves as pilgrims to Mecca.
Bowa says the vice of selling drugs by Ugandans in Mecca has tainted the image of Uganda, especially among the Muslim community, where Ugandans are being referred to as conmen (bafere).
He attributed the increasing number of these cases to some companies that are taking pilgrims to Mecca intending to do business rather than prioritising the faith aspect.
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Bowa revealed that due to such cases, the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) and Mufti of Uganda, Sheik Shaban Ramadhan Mubajje, are thinking of withdrawing permission to take pilgrims to Mecca from all private companies.
According to Bowa, they are thinking about the proposal because whenever the culprits are arrested in Saudi Arabia, the complaints are reported to the mufti as the overall Muslim leader in the country.
According to Sheik Juma Ali Shiwuyo, the in charge of Hijja at UMSC, 12 people were arrested in Saudi Arabia with marijuana in the recent pilgrim journey to Mecca.
He said the culprits have already been sentenced to death, awaiting implementation of their penalties, while others were given other punishments.
The clerics made the remarks at the thanksgiving ceremony of Hajji Salim Kiliswa, the director of Eastacama, an NGO and his wife Hajat Sauya Naigaga. This was at the couple's home in Mukuba zone, Bugiri municipality, after returning from the pilgrimage to Mecca.
Shiwuyo, however, expressed concern that some of the culprits were non-Muslims, which according to him, was intended to make money from selling marijuana.
Five-hour delays
He added that the development has caused strict checks for Ugandan pilgrims at Jedha Airport, which is causing delays of almost five hours. According to him, pilgrims from other countries are exempted from such checks. He, therefore, cautioned pilgrims to avoid such vices and holding people’s luggage.
Bugiri Municipality MP Asuman Basalirwa, who also attended the event, promised maximum support to the Muslim community.
Kiliswa and Naigaga expressed joy upon fulfilling one of the five pillars of Islam.