Prominent religious leader Sheikh Kassim Abdalla moving with some of the protesters in Yumbe town. (Photo by Adam Gule)

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Prime minister Lemeriga Fadhil of the Aringa Kingdom in Uganda's northern district of Yumbe has condemned the protests in Yumbe town council, reportedly organised by followers of prominent religious leader Sheikh Kassim Abdalla over the sale of pork.

Yumbe is a predominantly Muslim district, with over 70% of the 945,100-strong population identifying as Muslim, according to the 2024 national census report.

Pork and pork-based products are forbidden in Islam.

In his sermon during Juma prayers at Munir Mosque last Friday (October 31), Sheikh Abdalla allegedly criticised the sale of pork in Yumbe.

As a result, his criticism reportedly sparked off tensions between his loyalists and those opposed to his teachings.

The police and other security agencies caused the arrest of Abdalla to respond to the allegations of his teachings on the sale of pork.

But his arrest resulted in spiralling protests, mainly by his loyalists, leading to the destruction of properties in Yumbe town and the surrounding communities.

On Tuesday, a group of youths, armed with arrows, had mobilised and marched to the office of the resident district commissioner (RDC) of Yumbe.

Security forces intervened to disperse the crowd, but the confrontation quickly escalated into widespread riots, with more people joining the unrest.

Unconfirmed reports indicate that several people have sustained bullet wounds during the confrontation.

In the wake of the developments, Aringa Kingdom's premier Fadhil has appealed for restraint and religious tolerance among the Aringa people.

He said the bloodletting is uncalled for and appealed to the people of Aringa County to desist from violence.