There is a spiral of protests in Mukono District following strong accusations of rape against the District Kadhi.
Now, the Muslim leadership in district is facing mounting pressure to dismiss Sheik Muhamad Abdul Nuhu Kasolo, the Deputy District Kadhi, accused of using his position to rape women and threatening them after.
This website has established that the recent incident involved a 25-year-old woman from Kiyunga who went to District Kadhi’s office located at Masjid Atiq seeking assistance but met Sheik Kasolo who was on duty at the time.
According to the woman, she was unaware of Kasolo’s ill motive. She was facing financial difficulties at home, seeking support with basic needs and possibly a employment opportunity.
While at the office, Sheikh Kasolo, allegedly acting with ill intentions, asked her to return the following day. When she returned in the evening, he reportedly requested her to wait while he finished his daily duties, promising to take her to explore land opportunities.
After waiting for nearly two hours, another imam, later identified as the mosque leader of Namasumbi and apparently a friend of Sheikh Kasolo, arrived. They then instructed her to get into a vehicle.
“They actually drove past my home village and went up to Namasumbi village, toured the Imam’s gardens, and we later had maghrabi prayers at Namasumbi mosque before leaving. On our return we left the Imam at Namasumbi, along the way, Sheik Kasolo parked the vehicle in a bushy section on top to lock all the car doors,” the woman recounts.
She further adds that he started molesting her by touching her breasts, undressing her and eventually raped her. “I tried to resist, but the car doors were locked, and besides, he overpowered me after taking almost two days without eating food,” she stated.
Following the alleged assault, Sheikh Kasolo drove the victim and dropped her off at Kalagi Trading Centre, a town before Kiyunga. Stranded and without the UGX 1,500 needed for transport, she pleaded for help from taxi drivers, who agreed to take her to Kiyunga.
“The confidence and composure he displayed clearly indicated he had perfected the act. Unfortunately, every Muslim leader I approached urged me to remain silent, claiming I was old enough to keep such matters private. But the more I stay quiet, the more I suffer psychological torment,” she lamented.
Efforts to reach Sheikh Kasolo for comment have so far been unsuccessful. But in a phone conversation obtained by this website, Kasolo is heard pleading for forgiveness from the victim, admitting to being mentally weak when it comes to women.
“I sincerely ask for forgiveness. I have a weak heart, and my body is equally weak. Please forgive me. I don’t want to upset you further or cause you more distress. I beg for your complete forgiveness. Please don’t expose me or record anything that could reveal this to the community,” Kasolo pleaded.
While the Muslim leadership in Mukono has yet to issue an official response regarding the character and conduct of their deputy district Kadhi, local residents have condemned the incident.
They questioned why a religious leader, in a faith that permits polygamy, would exploit his office to assault a woman seeking help.
Abudul Shafik, a Mukono resident, suggested that the accused should face an Islamic tribunal and be permanently barred from holding any leadership role.
“Such behavior is unacceptable, and he should be stripped of his authority,” Shafik emphasised.
Josephine Naiga, another resident, called for government intervention, stressing that rape is a criminal offense.
According to Naiga, what has happened, and what might still happen, to young, innocent girls in our community would be unfortunate?
“I’ve heard he is leading efforts to establish an Islamic University in Mukono. How can we trust that our daughters will be safe in such an institution under his leadership? How can we trust his team members?” Naiga questioned.
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