Arua Muslims seek Shs800m for new burial ground
A section of Arua City. PHOTO/FILE/COURTESY
What you need to know:
- The current cemetery, which is filled up, was opened in 1918.
The Arua Muslim District Council is seeking to raise Shs800 million to establish a new burial ground for the departed faithful.
A five-acre piece of land has been identified in Oreku on Arua-Koboko road in Arua City.
The Muslim leaders said the money will also cater for the purchase of a vehicle to transport dead bodies, a Fuso lorry, a borehole, and a house for cleaning the dead bodies, among others.
The leaders made the remarks while addressing the media on Monday.
Former Arua City mayor Issa Kato said the current cemetery located within the city is full and can no longer accommodate any dead bodies.
“We have realised that when you take bodies there, you must first dig out someone who was already buried there. That means we are disturbing the peace of the dead,” Mr Kato said.
“Because Arua is now a city, the burial method is going to change. We are going to follow registration [of dead bodies]. The children’s side will also be different from that of adults,” he added.
Ms Muhamad Mara, the female coordinator for the fundraising drive, which is scheduled for December 18, appealed to all Muslims and well-wishers to contribute to the course.
“I witnessed during the opening up and construction of USMID road how bodies were exhumed to give way because they were near the road. About 10 bodies were exhumed and given to their relatives, so we really need a new burial ground,” Mr Mara said.
Mr Abdulhakim Moli, the treasurer for Arua Muslim District Council, said they have so far raised Shs68 million, out of the Shs130 million needed to buy the new cemetery land.
He added that they are financially handicapped to buy the land, but are hopeful that they will achieve the acquisition of the land, a vehicle to transport dead bodies and the construction of the borehole.
Old cemetery
The current cemetery, which is filled up, was opened in 1918.
As a result of the lack of space, bereaved families are being directed to bury their beloved ones at their ancestral homes.
