Lira Main Mosque was this afternoon closed by Polic authorities following scuffle between two Muslim factions which left at-least three Muslims fatally injured.

The morning pandemonium was sparked off when a group of youthful Muslims loyal to self-styled Khadi Yusuf Balinda  left their Mosque at Lira Primary school and stormed the main Mosque where they faced repulsion from the Muslim who were busy praying.
The Balinda faction reportedly cut the padlock on the door of the office of the district Khadi of Lango and wanted Yusuf Balinda to occupy it amidst protest from other Muslims who said they didn’t recognize him as their Khadi.

Balinda says he is the true Khadi for Lango Muslim District and wonders why he is being denied access to office.

Sheik Ramathan Mubajje

Mohamed Ogoola, the Muslim Youth Secretary for Erute in an interview said  Balinda”s name did not appear among the nominees to replace  the outgoing Khadi Sheik Angiro Mpira who is retiring after serving his seven year term in office. Ogoola says Balinda is being backed by sheik Ramathan Mubajje who they don’t regard as the mufti but instead pay allegiance to a rival Mufti, Sheik Zubayiro Kayongo.

One of those injured have been identifies as Bua mohamed while three others have been arrested. Meanwhile Nothern Reginal police Commander Raymond Otim has closed the mosque
By Frank Oyugi