Handshake and hugs: Warring Tororo district leaders bury the hatchet

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The Muslim community in Uganda's eastern district of Tororo has welcomed with excitement the decision by two warring leaders to reconcile and bury the hatchet.

For the last two years, district khadi Sheikh Nooh Koire Abdu Malik and his predecessor, Sheikh Ibrahim Yusuf Asante Ragang could not see eye to eye.

But in a welcome turnaround, they announced their reconciliation during the Eid el-Fitr prayers on Friday (March 20) at the Main Mosque, just off Nagongera Road.

The two leaders hugged it out

The two men smiled as they shook hands and hugged, drawing huge applause from those present.

The feud between them started two years ago when Sheikh Asante was impeached by the joint session committee of Tororo district Muslims presided over by the Mufti of Uganda, Dr Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje, at Rock Classic Hotel, Tororo, on a string of accusations levelled against him.

The impeachment was based on a petition filed by a cross-section of the Muslim apex leadership requesting the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC)  to ask the then kadhi to step down to pave way for investigations into the allegations.

Sheikh Koire was later appointed to replace Asante, who was later dragged to court on allegations of mismanagement of Muslim property.

Asante later won the case, and costs amounting to sh18m were slapped against Koire and his team. 

Asante did not pursue those costs, saying: "Islam requires total unity. I have decided to unite with my brother for the purpose of development because unity is strength."

On his part, Koire said he was happy with the gesture exhibited by his predecessor, adding that it would not be easy for him to lead a disunited Muslim community.

Muslims attending Eid el-Fitr prayers at the Main Mosque, just off Nagongera Road in Tororo district

"Allah helps people who are united together, and on that note, I want to thank Asante for withdrawing the case in court. I want equally to thank Dr Abdallah Koire for brokering the reconciliation process, and I pledge to work closely with my brother for betterment of the Muslim community," said Koire.

The reconciliation has been welcomed positively by the new Tororo district leadership, who say the same gesture should apply to the political class.

Tororo Municipality MP-elect Shyam Jay Tanna said the gesture is a symbol of unity that should be extended to the entire Tororo and country at large now that the political season is done.

Tanna said the elected and former leaders should join forces to diligently serve the people instead of bickering and forming cliques.

Mayor-elect Bernard Ochieng agreed, saying the gesture was a big lesson that must be embraced by the political leaders since they serve the same people instead of nurturing political wounds when the game is already done.

John Odoi, the Tororo district secretary for production, thanked the council of bishops for recently organising post-election thanksgiving prayers, which he said was one step towards reconciliation between the losers and winners of the recent elections.