UAE donates Shs 360 million to Ruhaama Muslims, promises to give more

MUHUMUZA AMBROSE

Muslims in Ruhaama, Ntungamo district over the weekend received $100,000 (Shs 360 million) by the embassy of the United Arab Emirates to construct health centres, schools, mosques, construction of boreholes and helping the needy.

Abdularahiim Obeid Said Alifalah, the ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to Uganda through the office of the First lady Janet Museveni made his maiden visit to Ntungamo district.

He was welcomed to the district by the district Kadhi Sheik Swaleh Kashangirwe, deputy executive director Civil Aviation Authority, Fred Bamwesigye and other local leaders at Ntungamo main mosque.

He later proceeded to Ruhaama where he meet the muslim community. A

He was taken on a tour of the dilapidated schools that need serious rehabilitation.

He promised that the embassy will work on them or even construct new buildings.

Currently there are two mosques in Kibeho and Kafunjo along the Rwanda border which are under construction by the UAE embassy.

Fred Bamwesigye said locals trek long distances looking for water and the nearest source is about 13 Kilometres away.

They pleaded to the ambassador and UAE to come to their rescue by digging boreholes, a request he promised to consider.

Besides the Shs 360 million, Ambassador Abdularahiim donated to the Ruhaama Muslim community 10 cows, rice, sugar among other commodities which were shared equally among the people regardless of their age, status and religion.

The happy locals hailed the UAE embassy for the support.

Sheikh Swaleh Kashangirwe, the district Kadhi Ntungamo said: "Muslims in this area have got huge land but it remains undeveloped due to lack of funds."

They thanked the UAE for coming to their aid.