The Government on Thursday, July 7, announced that Saturday, July 9, will be Idd Adhuha and will be marked as an international holiday.

“The Honorable Minister of Public Service informs the general public that Saturday, July 9, 2022, is Eid Adhuha and will be observed as a public holiday throughout Uganda,” Catherine Bitarakwate, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Public Service, stated.

There were, however, several calls by members of the public that since the day falls on a weekend, it should be compensated with a working day to which Ofwono Opondo, the Government spokesperson, responded: “Parliament passed a law governing public Holidays in Uganda which recognised that when it falls on a weekend it’s celebrated as such without compensation. Enjoy Eid Adhuha”.

Idd Adhuha is among the biggest Islamic holidays of the year. It is popularly known as ‘Qurbani’ or the Festival of Sacrifice.

The tradition for Idd Adhuha involves slaughtering an animal and sharing the meat in three equal parts – for family, relatives and friends, and poor people. The goal is to make sure every Muslim gets to eat meat.

Thousands of animals are expected to be slaughtered over the weekend.

  Catherine Bitarakwate, Idd Adhuha, Ofwono Opondo