IGP pledges support for Muslim Community in Uganda, donates 3 Bulls to officers at Naguru for Eid Al-Adha

The Inspector General of Police Okoth Ochola Martin has urged all Muslims to celebrate tomorrow’s Eid Al-Adha in the comfort of their homes, to avoid going against the COVID-19 Guidelines.

Ministry of Public Service announced tomorrow Tuesday 19/07/2021 a public holiday, allowing the Muslim community to celebrate.

During the weekly press briefing at Naguru on Monday morning, Fred Enanga the police spokesperson said that the IGP extended his best wished to all Muslims.

He was however quick to add that the IGP advised them to celebrate in safe precincts of their homes, to minimize the spread of COVID-19.

“It is unfortunate, that for the second year running that the event shall be celebrated under stringent COVID-19 restrictions and it is here that the IGP has come out to urge all Muslims to celebrate Eid Al-Adha in the safe precincts of their homes, to minimize the risks of COVID-19 during the celebrations” Enanga said.

He added that the IGP has commended all Muslims in the country, for their level of persistence, commitment and dedication towards each other and peaceful co-existence with other Ugandans.

“He has also come out to pledge that the Uganda Police continues to stand with the leadership of the Muslim community and further strengthen the relationship between the two, in promoting peace, safety and security in the country. He also thanked Muslims in the police for their contributions towards maintenance of peace and donated three bulls to the Muslim fraternity at Naguru as a token of appreciation” Enanga added.

The development comes at a time when the Muslim community is up in arms with police for arresting their people and calling them terrorists. Last week, a team of Muslim lawyers threatened to sue the force for continued arrest of their people with no serious cause.

Eid al-Adha, Arabic for Festival of the Sacrifice, is the latter of the two official holidays celebrated within Islam. It honours the willingness of Ibrahim to sacrifice his son Ismail as an act of obedience to God’s command. Before Ibrahim could sacrifice his son, however, Allah provided a lamb to sacrifice instead.