News

Uganda Imam ‘mistakenly’ marries man: ‘couple’ charged, Twitter trolls, gay slant

Last updated on September 11th, 2021 at 03:06 pm

Local media outlets in Uganda over the weekend reported how an Imam ‘unknowingly’ married a fellow man. The story had it that the said wife had gone stealing and was arrested – found out if you want – during the burglary.
Almost a week on, the Imam has been suspended from clerical duties by the mosque, the ‘wife’ has appeared before a court and been charged whiles on social media conspiracies continue to be woven.
As at Thursday, the local Daily Monitor newspaper said the Imam had also been charged along with his wife on charges of having unnatural carnal knowledge.
How the episode started out
The saga is woven in the central Ugandan district of Kayunga, where the marriage took place weeks ago. The conjugal headaches of the Imam Sheikh Mohammed Mutumba, will come to light only after his ‘wife’s’ burglary move, uncovered by the neighbours.
The Daily Monitor said a female police officer reported the suspect as male after conducting a body search. The newspaper report included the account of a cleric at the imam’s mosque who said the imam needed counselling after his bride “refused to undress while they slept.”
The Imam of Kyampisi Noor mosque actually had entered a marriage with a 27-year male whose real name is Richard Tumushabe and not Swabullah Nabukeera.
Why the Imam has been charged
The Imam for having wedded a fellow man in the Islamic culture (Nikah) was charged with having carnal knowledge with a person against the order of nature, and remanded to Ntenjeru prison.
Appearing before the Kayunga Grade One magistrate Ms Irene Akello on Thursday, Sheikh Mutumba, 27, was not allowed to take plea because his case can only be heard by a higher court, the newspaper added.
The Kayunga District Police Commander, Mr John Lukooto, also confirmed that the ‘man wife’ Tumushabe had duped a number of men who fell in love with ‘her’ and later stole their money.
Social media, gay activist reacts
On social media, people continue to ask questions about how the Imam was led on by a fellow man till marriage and for as long as two-weeks living as a couple. Some averred that the entire episode smelled of a same-sex arrangement.
A gay rights activist on his part said criticism of the imam highlights intolerance in the East African country. Frank Mugisha, who runs the group Sexual Minorities Uganda, said Thursday the case proved “how homophobic the country is.”
“The imam could be right when he says he didn’t know,” he said. “Ugandans should respect people’s privacy. They are not necessarily homosexuals.”
Mugisha said it was not clear whether the imam’s partner is transgender, one reason his group had decided not to release a statement regarding the case.
Uganda’s no-nonsense gay laws
Gay sex is criminalized in Uganda, where there have been efforts in recent years to enact stiffer penalties targeting homosexuals, including death by hanging. Many Ugandans believe homosexuality is imported from the West.
A harsh anti-gay law enacted in 2014 was later overturned by a panel of judges amid international pressure and threats of aid cuts. In enacting that law, President Yoweri Museveni accused “arrogant and careless Western groups” of trying to recruit Ugandan children into homosexuality, although he did not identify the groups.
According to Human Rights Watch, 32 African nations have varying laws criminalizing homosexuality. In many cases the anti-gay laws are left over from the colonial era.

Albert Echetah

Recent Posts

Pastef party led by Ousmane Sonko wins historic election victory

Senegal's ruling Pastef party has won a resounding victory in the legislative elections, taking130 of the 165 seats in parliament,…

November 22, 2024

Famine Risk Reaches Critical Levels as FoodCrisis Deepens In Gaza

Gaza’s hunger crisis is not only statistic, but a set of narratives such as Yasmin Eid, amother of six, who…

November 22, 2024

Kenya Launches Official Probe intoUgandan Leader’s Alleged Kidnapping

The government of Kenya announced that it is looking into the suspected kidnapping ofKizza Besigye, a well-known opposition politician from…

November 22, 2024

At least 7 members of the Nigerian security forces are missing after insurgentsambushed their convoy

A team of 80 security agents tasked with protecting the electricity grid was ambushed onMonday in Shiroro, Niger State, by…

November 21, 2024

Cryptocurrency Gains Momentum inAfrica Amid Global Shifts in Trump’sElection

Cryptocurrency becomes the new thing in Africa. People shift for stable alternatives aftertheir unstable local currencies. Many people believe Donald…

November 21, 2024

UAE Delivers Lifeline: 30,000 Food BasketsBring Hope to Sudanese Refugees in Uganda

UAE has also distributed 30,000 food baskets to Sudanese refugees in Kiryandongo refugeecamp Uganda to benefit nearly 100,000 affected people.Aid…

November 21, 2024

This website uses cookies.