By Frank Kamuntu
The association of Fisheries and Lake Users of Uganda (AFLU) has today handed over two bulls to the manager Office of the National Chairman (ONC) – Kyambogo as preparations for the forthcoming muslim prayers pick momentum.
ONC is set to host the Duwa prayers and official launch of the Islamic Banking specifically Salaam Bank at Kololo ceremonial ground on 27th March 2024.
It’s worth noting that the Bank of Uganda granted its first Islamic banking licence on September 8 2023 to Salaam Bank Uganda, a subsidiary of a Djibouti-based bank. The Ugandan parliament passed legislation in June to authorise Islamic banking, which president Yoweri Museveni signed into law in August 2023. The legislation removed the requirement to establish a “central sharia advisory council”, which the Bank of Uganda had opposed.
Launch of Islamic Banking a side, on the same event there will be, breaking of fasting (ramadan), and donating food items to muslim fraternity.
While handing over the cows to Hajjat Namyalo, AFLU chairman Mr Ssenyonga Kambugu Geoffrey noted that as fisheries and lake users in Uganda, they stand together with Chief Muzzukulu in her struggle to bring Museveni back on the ballot.
“We have come here to officially tell Hajjat Namyalo that we are in full support for her good activities including her poverty eradication and empowerment campaigns and bringing Museveni back on the ballot for 2026 elections,” says Museveni.
Mr Ssenyonga however requested Hajjat Namyalo to push their appeal to Museveni to introduce tight regulations against those practicing bad fishing methods that have since left the lake dry of fish.
“We appreciate the efforts government is putting in place to curb bad fishing practices like ‘hurry up’ that catches both young and mature fish. We want all fishermen to use the kyota-kyota method which only picks mature fish. By doing this, we shall have a juicy lake with enough fish and we shall be able to keep strong in business,” added Mr Ssenyonga.
Also, he requested Namyalo to inform the president that fishing community is not benefiting from the Parish Development Model (PDM) cash saying this money is too little to boost the well being of lake users.
“Hajjat Namyalo kindly push our appeal to Museveni, we request that they give us enough money through these government programs. You can’t Ugx1 million to a fisherman whose boat costs Ugx25m, it won’t have a reasonable benefit to him,” noted Mr Ssenyonga.
In response to their outcry, Hajjat Namyalo promised to let her boss know about all the challenges affecting his bazzukulu especially the fishermen and lake users saying that for long, Museveni’s dream has been ensuring an economically stable country and so can’t stay silent when his people are suffering.
“Am happy first and foremost for coming to support Office of the National Chairman in its move to prepare a mega event for our muslim community and Ugandans at large. Am really touched by your pain of no more fish in lakes due to poor fishing methods but these are small matters that will be solved by our Jajja Museveni,” noted Namyalo.
Meanwhile, the Chief Muzzukulu rallied Ugandans, especially muslims and friends of the muslim fraternity to come in large numbers and benefit from the goodies brought by ONC on the 27th March at Kololo ceremonial grounds.
“As you are all aware, on that day we are not just breaking fasting for our brothers and sisters from the muslim community, we shall be donating to you food items but also have a moment to share and hear from our chairman Museveni,” Hajjat Namyalo added.
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