NELSON K
On Sunday, during the Eid Mubarak celebrations and the installation of the new Bikurungu Sheik Asman Kagwa, the Rukungiri Muslim community honored Hon. Mary Paula Turyahikayo and Mr. Frank Rukanirwa with medals for their unwavering support in fostering unity and creating bridges between Muslims and other religions in the region.
The event also featured the fundraising of a new vehicle for Sheik Asman Kagwa and Quran competitions among the youngest Muslim children. In his speech, Rukungiri Muslim District Khadhi Sheik Kayole Abdul Malik Byaruhanga expressed his gratitude to all Muslims for observing Ramadan and celebrating Eid Mubarak. He particularly thanked Hon. Mary Paula Turyahikayo, the former Rubabo constituency MP and Rukungiri’s aspiring woman MP, for her efforts in fostering interfaith cooperation, which has helped abolish religious criticism in the Kigezi region. Sheik Byaruhanga also appreciated her invitations to Catholic BAAF fundraising events, highlighting the collaborative spirit of Muslims with different religious communities.
Sheik Byaruhanga further extended his appreciation to Frank Rukanirwa, the guest of honor and key organizer of the ceremony. He commended Rukanirwa for his support of Muslims, a faith that has often faced prejudice. Due to financial constraints, the Muslim community struggled to fund the event, and thus, they awarded Hon. Rukanirwa and Hon. Mary Paula medals in recognition of their dedication and support.
Hon. Mary Paula Turyahikayo, in her remarks, congratulated all Muslims for the successful completion of Ramadan and the celebration of Eid Mubarak. She encouraged continued cooperation and expressed her deep appreciation to Frank Rukanirwa for supporting all religions and organizing the Eid Mubarak ceremony, as well as fundraising for the new Bikurungu Sheik’s vehicle. Hon. Turyahikayo also praised Sheik Abdul Byaruhanga for his commitment to interfaith unity and participation in events of other religious communities, such as BAAF fundraisers.
She urged Muslims to prioritize educating their children for brighter futures and called on the people of Rukungiri to support her candidacy for the Rukungiri District Woman MP position, pledging to bring improved education, roads, and electricity to the district, as she had previously done in Rubabo.
As a token of her support, Hon. Mary Paula donated 200,000 UGX to support the Rujumbura Muslim SACCO and another 200,000 UGX to aid in the purchase of a vehicle for the new Bikurungu Sheik, Asman Kagwa, demonstrating her commitment to fostering interfaith collaboration.
Mr. Frank Arineitwe Rukanirwa, the aspiring MP for Rujumbura constituency, who funded the ceremony, congratulated all Muslims on the conclusion of Ramadan and the celebration of Eid Mubarak. He encouraged parents to prioritize the education of their children, even if it means enrolling them in non-Muslim schools, as long as it promotes interfaith cooperation for community development.
Rukanirwa strongly condemned the discrimination against Muslims, urging the new sheik to build bridges between Muslims and other religions in the area. He thanked the ceremony’s chief mobilizer, Abdul Totti, for his efforts in gathering Muslims from all corners and assured the community of his continued support, promising to organize such ceremonies annually to strengthen and mobilize the Muslim community.
Newly installed Sheik Asman Kagwa expressed his gratitude in his remarks, promising to work towards fostering unity and cooperation among all religions. He thanked Hon. Mary Paula, Frank Rukanirwa, and other political leaders for their support and pledged to continue collaborating with Hon. Mary Paula, as they had in Rubabo Constituency.
