Angry Muslims have destroyed more than 70 kilograms of meat at Gulu municipal abattoir. The destroyed meat was from animals slaughtered by a non-Muslims. The meat was dumped into the soak pit at the abattoir on the orders of Sheik Musa Kelil, the Khadi of Acholi Muslim district.
According to Sheikh Kelil, the meat was dumped for the safety of consumers since the cow was slaughtered in contravention of the standards set by Uganda Halal Bureau. Kelil argues that the non–Muslims who slaughtered the cow, mocked the Islamic faith since he committed the act on Eid el-Aduha, an Islamic festival marking the end of Islamic pilgrimage and commemorates the decision of Abraham to sacrifice his son, Ismail.
Sheik Ismael Ali Omona, the Imam of Jamia Mosque in Gulu town revealed that there are only two legally recognized slaughtering points in Gulu, which include the main abattoir in Layibi Division and another one at Unyama Trading centre with four certified butchers.
According to Omona, they have heard rumours that two abattoirs in Bungatira sub-county and Lacor trading center are operating illegally. Christine Ajok, the acting Gulu Municipal veterinary officer who witnessed the dumping of the meat condemned the illegal slaughtering of animals and vowed to hunt and arrest the culprit.
In March 2011, The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) and the Uganda Halal Bureau signed a partnership to ensure that all locally-produced foods, beverages and institutions get certified under hygienic and religiously acceptable standards.
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