Imams irked by delayed KCCA Eid package

Jun 23, 2017

After three hours of waiting, the imams walked away after they lost patience

What was meant to be an Eid package ahead of merry making for Kampala imams, turned sour after they walked away in protest.

alt=''Muslims stream out of City Hall after KCCA delayed delivering the promised Eid gifts. Photo by Lawrence Mulondo 
ouncillor buaker awalya addressing the uslims at ity all hoto by awrence ulondo Councillor Abu-Baker Kawalya addressing the Muslims at City Hall. Photo by Lawrence Mulondo

The Muslims walked away after waiting for close to three hours for the promised Eid hampers from the office of the Lord Mayor.

The Muslims convened at the Mayor's Parlour at 8:30am to receive the gifts which were meant to be given out by Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago himself at 9:00am, but were shocked to see Lukwago walk away without any communication.

The deputy Lord Mayor Sarah Kanyike, who represented Lukwago laboured to explain to the over 500 imams that Lukwago had gone to attend to the traders in Kisenyi who had lost their property in a fire outbreak.

"We are sorry our supply has delayed you will bear with us. The Lord Mayor is also away as you all know that one of markets in the city was burnt," Kanyike said.

After her speech, Kanyike stepped out of the Hall to consult with the person who was charged with purchasing the items.

After three hours of waiting, the imams walked away after they lost patience saying they could not wait anymore.

The items however were later delivered but by the, most of the imams had left City Hall saying they will receive the items at their mosques.

alt=''The gifts being offloaded from a truck when they eventually arrived but many of the Muslims were long gone. Photo by Lawrence Mulondo 

Imam Katende from Mengo said that it was unfortunate that KCCA had invited them to come but failed to fulfil their pledge.

"It is not a good practice for one to carry us away from our mosques and later disappoint us. The Quran condemns such practices," Katende said.

Kawempe councillor, Muhammad Segirinya, blamed KCCA for the poor organization.

KCCA spokesperson, Peter Kaujju, explained that the delay was caused by the supplier who failed to deliver on time.

"Every year we give back to our Muslim brothers as gesture of congratulating them upon the successful completion of the Ramadhan season, but our items were delayed by the supply," Kaujju explained.

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