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BY RICHARD DRASIMAKU
ARUA: SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2025
Al-hajj Isa Kato, the former Arua Municipality Mayor has warned Moslems in Arua Central Division to steer clear from candidates who use religion as a tool for seeking votes.
“They are munafiq,” he said as he dismissed the fanatics who are trying to de-campaign Christian candidates in the parliamentary race for Arua Central Division.
Kato was campaigning for the incumbent Member of Parliament Jackson Lee Atima at Ozua Cell in Kenya Ward, one of the most populous wards that has dense Moslem presence.
Munafiq is Arabic word for hypocrite or pretender and is used to refer to people who profess Islamic faith but do not practice it as expected.
“I am the publicity secretary for construction of Irishad (Kodja) mosque. Jackson Atima gave us sh40m, yet he is Anglican Christian,” he said.
“Those Moslems who are saying Atima should not be given votes because he is not a Moslem are themselves not even praying at the mosque. They are Munafiq,” Kato fired to thunderous applause.
Kato added that Atima also gave over sh26m to support construction of the Catholic Church at Ojulua Cell when he is not a catholic.
Of the six candidates contesting in the parliamentary race, the Moslem candidates are Khemis Muzaid of the Forum for Democratic change and Hadad Salim, an independent candidate.
Of the remaining contestants, Kassiano Wadri of the Alliance for National Transformation is a Catholic, Ronald Debo who rebelled from NRM is Anglican and Jackson Obindu of the National Unity Platform is also Anglican.
Kato emphasized that religion must never be used as a means of seeking political office due to the negative role it played in the history of Uganda.
He told the people that the government is satisfied with MP Atima who is also the assistant coordinator of the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU).
The PLU is a pressure group operating under the radar of Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the Chief of Defence Forces and Al-hajj Kato is the coordinator for the Central Division.
He said when he lost the mayoral office, some people thought that his work had ended, but they are wrong because the government continues to use him in different capacities.
The ex-mayor pledged unconditional support to Atima and appealed to Moslems to look at integrity and ability of a candidate to lead people as they consider their decisions to cast votes.
Atima said when his mandate is renewed on January 15, 2026, he will embark on following the pledge by the Vice President Jessica Alupo to mobilize funding to complete the construction of the mosque.
The MP explained that in his first term, he secured a building for establishment of a youth center but was unable to equip it because of the need to fulfill demand from the religious institutions.
“Give me the second term so that I can equip that youth skilling center. The youths of Arua central Division will get their skilling from this center instead of going to the presidential skilling hum in Zombo district,” he said to chants of Atima ma ru letaa ii… ( Atima’s name is love).
