An imam in Uganda has been suspended from his clerical duties after it was discovered that he unknowingly married a man. | Image Courtesy: Unsplash | Photo Credit: Representative Image

Kayunga: An imam in Uganda has been suspended from his religious duties after he unknowingly married a man. Sheikh Mohammed Mutumba, the Imam of Kyampisi Masjid Noor in Kayunga District, had married his 'wife' Swabulla Nabukeera last month according to the Islamic traditions. However, the true identity of the 'bride' was revealed only after 'she' was arrested for theft.

The couple spent two weeks together after marriage, however, they did not have any sexual intercourse as the 'bride' claimed that she was menstruating. The true identity of the 'bride' was exposed when she was arrested for stealing a television set and clothes from a neighbour's house.

A female police officer carried out a body search on the suspect only to find out that 'she' was actually a man. The imam was devastated after the police informed him about the identity of his 'wife'.

The thief later revealed to the police that his real name as Richard Tumushabe. He added that he had duped the imam to get his money. He has been charged with impersonation, theft and obtaining goods by false pretence.

Mutumba said that he got married after visiting Tumushabe's aunt Nuuru Nabukeera, who lives in Kituula village in Seeta-Namuganga sub-county. Nuuru said that Mutumba paid a dowry which included two goats, two bags of sugar, three busuutis, a carton of salt and a Koran, the Daily Monitor reported.

Nuuru told the police that she did not know that her 'niece' was a man as she got acquainted with him when he was already an adult. The alleged aunt has also been arrested by the police.

Soon after the discovery of the identity of the 'bride', Mutumba was suspended from his clerical duties. The head imam of the mosque, Sheikh Isa Busuulwa said that the suspension was intended to preserve the integrity of their faith.

Friends and colleagues said that it was hard to discover that he was a man as he had a sweet soft voice, walked with a woman's gait and was always dressed in either gomesi or hijab.

According to the sources, a relative of the imam has taken him for counselling.