By Brenda Acen

Hundreds of Muslims and residents of Paidha gathered to pay their last respects on Friday to Sheikh Abdul Hamid Kaggwa Rijji, who was a strong pillar in the recently established Zombo Muslim district.

Sheikh Kaggwa Rijji passed on after a long battle with diabetes and breathed his last on Thursday 28th May 2026 at Arua Regional Referral Hospital.

Chairman of PTA Mvugu Lower Primary School, Omar Kasamba, noted that the deceased was instrumental in the development of Salaam Mosque and the neighbouring Mvugu Lower Primary School as a key stakeholder.

Vice LCV Zombo district Hassan Ringtho stated that Sheikh Kaggwa was an educationist who firmly compelled him to further his career as a teacher in education.

Festus Ayikobua, Resident District Commissioner for Zombo, challenged the mourners to leave a legacy of passion for community in all aspects of life.

"Effective leadership desires education and we need to continue sending more people to attain education as a first priority to the furthest level possible," he stated.

Festus Ayikobua urged the observation of health guidelines in light of the Ebola virus.Public gatherings like discotheques and border markets of Padea, Awasi, Nyalip etc. have been suspended as prevention mechanisms against Ebola.

Other places of public gatherings must strictly follow the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to prevent closure.

Zombo Muslim district Khadhi Sheikh Abdul Aziz Qassim Amin eulogized Sheikh Kaggwa as a visionary leader who strongly lobbied for the establishment of more Muslim districts in West Nile.

Sheikh Abdul Aziz mentioned that the deceased was an ardent educationist who encouraged many faithfuls to attain education, especially Islamic studies, as witnessed by his position as director and teacher at Al Qanawa institution.

"The late Mzee Sheikh Kaggwa was emotional on 8th December 2025 when Zombo Muslim district was declared in Warr Jamia mosque. This was his dream come true," he recalled.

He was eulogised as a unifying factor, standing by the truth in all circumstances as a father. He appointed Mwalimu Issa, his deputy, as the immediate bearer of office before his demise.

Sheikh Abdul Jaffer Shaban Karala, district Khadhi of Arua Muslim district and representative of the Uganda Supreme Muslim Council (UMSC), remembered Sheikh Kaggwa as peaceful and soft-spoken, qualities he used to strategically bridge disagreements.

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Sheikh Abdul Jaffer appealed to the concerned authorities to avoid taking sides in matters concerning disunity among some Islamic faithfuls.

Sheikh Abdul Hamid Kaggwa Rijji served as former LCI Abongo village, area councillor Omua ward, Imam Masjid Salama, former NRM registrar, and Zombo Muslim district member of the general assembly.

In attendance were delegates from Lira, Soroti, Gulu, Pakwach, Arua, and Kisumu, Kenya.

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