Eid al-Fitr: UPDF Gives Food Items to Rutshuru Muslim Community in Eastern DR Congo

Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces operating under the East African Community Regional Force (UGACON-EACRF) for peacekeeping mission has donated food items to the vulnerable community of Rutshuru territory ahead of the Eid al-Fitr festival.

The Uganda Contingent in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) delivered Ramadan food packages to the Muslim Communities in a special way prepared and handed over to Sheik Ibrahim Muhammad, the Khadhi of Rutshuru territory before the Imam of Jamia Mosque, Sheik Swadik Kabemba as they completed Ramadan.

During the handover, Col Michael Walaka Hyeroba, the Uganda Contingent Commander noted that the support is a sign of oneness and appreciation from the Contingent to our Muslim brothers and sisters at Kiwanja Rutshuru territory in North Kivu-DRC.

“We pledge to continue working together with the people of Rutshuru-Kiwanja in North Kivu to ensure that peace and stability prevail. EACRF-UGACON is grateful for the support so far rendered to it for the time it deployed. In the Mission area and pray the support continues.”

Chief Khadhi while delivering his appreciation to the contingent welcomed Uganda Contingent into Rutshuru territory by pledging full support to the peacekeepers stressing that Islam is a religion of peace and it’s on this basis that he will lead the Muslim community in Rutshuru territory to fully support EACRF in their efforts to sustain and consolidate for peace in this region.

The Imam of the Mosque, Sheik Kabemba, invoked the Almighty Allah to bless the entire peace process so that DRC gains total peace and security so that the region goes back to normalcy.

The Imam of Masjid Jamia Mosque said that they will consider the most vulnerable especially the widows, aged, orphans and the poor as his top priority so that they can enjoy the Eid festival with the entire Muslim community world over.

The items range from basic food items which are commonly used during the holy month of Ramadan and Eid celebrations which include 100kg of rice, 20 litres of cooking oil, 50kg of wheat flour and 10 cartons of bottled water were handed over to the Chief Khadi in support of the Muslim community.

Uganda Contingent is immensely joyful to make its support and contribution towards the Muslim Community as an inclusive partner in the peacekeeping process.

The Jamia mosque is the supreme mosque in the Rutshuru territory of Kiwanja where Muslims gather for Eid prayers and other Islamic festivals.