The Department of Hajj and Umrah at the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council has clarified reports circulating on social media regarding pilgrims reportedly sponsored by Yoweri Kaguta Museveni who are currently performing Hajj in Saudi Arabia.
In a statement released on Monday, May 25, 2026, the UMSC Hajj Office said it successfully identified and facilitated 65 Muslim pilgrims from different Muslim regions across the country following guidance from State House officials.
According to the statement, UMSC was informed that government funds to support the pilgrims would only be released after the visa processing stage had already been completed.
“The Uganda Muslim Supreme Council took the responsibility of borrowing funds in advance to facilitate the pilgrims,” the statement read.
UMSC explained that the borrowed funds were used to cover air tickets, accommodation, and internal transportation within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in order to meet strict Hajj deadlines for visa processing and online lodging arrangements.
However, the council said only partial reimbursement was later made by the concerned government officials.
“The concerned officials only refunded travel fares for 17 pilgrims out of the 22 pilgrims who eventually secured visas and travelled for Hajj,” the statement added.
The Hajj office further clarified that none of the 22 pilgrims has so far received the pocket money reportedly included in the Presidential Hajj sponsorship package.
The affected pilgrims have since appealed to President Museveni to personally intervene and ensure that the promised facilitation is fulfilled.
Meanwhile, Hajjat Mariam Namayanja, the coordinator of the Presidential Hajj Programme and Special Presidential Assistant in charge of monitoring the Parish Development Model (PDM), said misunderstandings between UMSC and the Uganda Bureau of Hajj Affairs disrupted the processing of travel documents for some beneficiaries.
Speaking on Friday, May 22, Namayanja revealed that the dispute involving UMSC and the Uganda Bureau of Hajj Affairs, headed by Sheikh Zakaliya Kyewalyanga, is currently under investigation by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit following a complaint reportedly lodged by the Mufti of Uganda, Sheikh Shaban Ramadan Mubajje.
“The conflicts between UMSC and the Bureau are under investigation by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit following a complaint filed by the Mufti of Uganda, Sheikh Shaban Ramadan Mubajje. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is also aware. The State House is not part of it,” Namayanja said.
The disagreements between the two Muslim institutions have raised concerns that some pilgrims selected under President Museveni’s Hajj sponsorship programme could miss this year’s pilgrimage to Mecca due to delays in documentation and facilitation processes.
