Gulu Muslims leaders decry illegal abattoirs

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Muslim leaders in Gulu city and district are decrying the continuous establishment of illegal abattoirs within their jurisdiction.

According to them, the practice of slaughtering animals in gazetted abattoirs has been assigned to Muslims. However, it has been challenged by some people for their selfish interests.

Juma Ramadan, the secretary in charge of Halal in the Acholi Muslim District, said they are always worried about eating unclean meat during festive seasons when the slaughtering of animals goes up due to high demand for meat since some animals are slaughtered by non–Muslims.

However, Christopher Auma Latim, the chairperson for Gulu Main Market Meat Dealers’ Association, said he did not know any illegal abattoirs in Gulu.

Meanwhile, Alfred Opiyo, the Veterinary Officer of Gulu District disclosed they still don’t have any abattoirs since Gulu city was carved from it. Therefore, it is hard for them to regulate the slaughtering of animals under the halal bureau of Uganda, especially during festive seasons.  

Gulu city has three abattoirs: Gulu main abattoir is situated in Bardege-Layibi division, Unyama and Bungatira abattoirs both located in Laroo-Pece division with each having their own assigned butchers.

Widely accepted norm

In Uganda, it is a widely accepted practice that Muslims slaughter animals, but their religious leaders now want the role reserved for them by law.

According to Mufti of Uganda Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubajje, enacting a law restricting the slaughtering of animals to only Muslims will curb incidences where unscrupulous people mix haram (forbidden) meat such as pork with halal (permissible) products like beef and mutton.

Mubajje appealed to Parliament on July 20, 2023, while paying a courtesy call on the Speaker, Anita Among.

He argued that whereas it has been a practice for Muslims to slaughter animals in public abattoirs, it has been challenged by some people who deem it discriminatory and unconstitutional to bar non-Muslims from seeking such employment.

Uganda is a secular state with multi-religious denominations whose freedom of worship requires that the practice of one’s religion should not harm the sentiments and interests of others.

According to the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, Uganda has no state religion and prohibits religious discrimination but provides for freedom of belief, and the right to practice and promote any religion consistent with the law.

"Muslims have never made a mistake in their way of providing halal meat for the consumers, but those who are fighting it have ill intentions of bringing meat which isn’t good to the public because they think they can do anything, and anybody can eat. So, we are requesting that that position is maintained and enshrined in law," Mubajje said.