TEREGO Sheikh Said Omar Dramani, the former Director of the Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU) Arua Campus, has been sworn in as the first Khadi of the newly created Terego Muslim District, curved from Arua Muslim District.
The colourful and well-attended function was held at Hirai Islamic Primary School sports grounds, adjacent to what is believed to be the first and oldest mosque in Uganda, reportedly built during the Ottoman rule in the Equatorial Province in the 1830s.
Sheikh Dramani, flanked by close family members, took the Oaths of Office under the guidance of the UMSC Electoral Commission led by Hon. Were Abubakar Wadangho, assisted by Counsel Hadad Salim, the West Nile Regional Commissioner.
During the ceremony, Sheikh Dramani pledged loyalty to the UMSC Constitution and committed himself to executing his duties under the guidance of the Holy Quran and the noble Hadith, the divine sayings of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him). His remarks drew loud cheers and chants of “Allahu Akbar” from the Muslim faithful.
Thereafter, Sheikh Dramani received the instruments of authority from Sheikh Imran Abdunoor Ssali, the UMSC Secretary for Religious Affairs, who represented His Eminence Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubajje, the Mufti of Uganda, as the chief guest.
In his inaugural speech, Sheikh Said Omar Dramani noted that Terego remains largely poverty-stricken but stressed that the situation should instead be viewed as an opportunity for transformation.
“Our plight is not a weakness, but rather a context for miracles, and our potential for collaboration is immense,” he stated.
He further pledged that mosques under his leadership would become centres of Islamic knowledge, adult literacy, and basic numeracy. He added that the Muslim leadership would partner with local government extension workers to promote modern farming practices among communities.
Sheikh Dramani particularly urged the youth to avoid fleeing to cities in search of survival.
“Our mangoes, cassava, potatoes, oranges, tomatoes, beans, and groundnuts can become our main source of wealth. So let us stay and get organised,” he advised.
Earlier, the congregation heard remarks from various dignitaries, including Sheikh Abu Jafar Shaban Karala, the Kadhi of Arua Muslim District, the mother district, who explained how the decision to elevate Terego into a full Muslim district was reached.
Sheikh Mahdie Muhamood Raihan implored Muslims in Terego to rally behind their new leader, while Msgr. Joseph Awide, representing the Catholic Church, and Hajjat Hanifa Draru, the Deputy Speaker of Terego District Local Government, pledged cooperation and close working relations with the new Muslim leadership.
The event was crowned by the Mufti’s written speech, delivered on his behalf by Sheikh Imran Ssali, in which he emphasised the importance of unity, cooperation, and working closely with Muslim leaders for the development of the community.