President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has sponsored 150 Muslims for this year’s Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
Hajj is a sacred pilgrimage required of every Muslim at least once in their lifetime—it is one of the five pillars of Islam. The pilgrimage is performed annually in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
The delegation of pilgrims, who will travel on 7 and 12 May 2026, will be led by the Special Presidential Assistant for Press and Mobilization, who is also the Deputy Press Secretary to the President, Haji Faruk Kirunda.
The first group of 90 Muslims was flagged off today by the Senior Presidential Advisor in charge of Political Mobilisation, Mr. Moses Byaruhanga, at the Office of the Prime Minister Conference Hall in Kampala.
Mr. Byaruhanga thanked President Museveni for extending support to the Muslim community by sponsoring the faithful to perform Hajj.
“I also thank Hajjat Mariam Namayanja and Haji Faruk Kirunda for supporting my office in ensuring that the program is a success,” he said.
“State House has worked hand in hand with the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) to ensure that the beneficiaries are effectively selected. We gave a chance to Muslim leaders in each region to select eligible pilgrims, and the program has been transparent.”
He also emphasized that the Hajj offer is fully funded by President Museveni, warning pilgrims not to give anyone money in the name of assisting them to go for the sacred journey.
“Instead of the usual 100 slots, the President has this time sponsored 150 Muslims for Hajj,” Mr. Byaruhanga said.
“Each Hajj costs Shs 21 million on average, which amounts to over Shs 3 billion for 150 people.”
He also reminded the faithful that President Museveni introduced an alternative within the Parish Development Model (PDM) to accommodate believers who feel that PDM contravenes Islamic laws due to the interest element (riba).
“We now have Islamic banking, and the President is also going to inject billions of shillings into SACCOs of Muslim leaders, such as Imams, throughout the country. This money is interest-free and is meant to economically empower you,” he stated.
“However, for clarity, the PDM interest is meant to ensure that our money does not lose value.”
He also urged Muslims to rear white goats and sheep, noting that they are highly lucrative, especially in Saudi Arabia.
“They usually come around April looking for white goats and sheep to be slaughtered during Eid Al-Adha. The market is there. Such investment can uplift your economic status.”
Mr. Byaruhanga further thanked the Muslim community for supporting President Museveni and the National Resistance Movement (NRM).
On his part, Haji Kirunda urged the pilgrims not to behave as tourists when they reach Saudi Arabia, warning that doing so could lead to trouble during the holy journey.
“There’s a difference between tourists and pilgrims. You shouldn’t go there to be a tourist. If you try to be a tourist, you may get lost, so I advise you to follow the rules and guidelines,” he said.
He also urged pilgrims to respect themselves and maintain proper hygiene so as not to tarnish the image of State House and Uganda at large.
“Don’t try to take anything that doesn’t belong to you. You will face the law in Saudi Arabia, and we may not return with you after Hajj if you break the law,” he added.
He thanked President Museveni for supporting and standing with Muslims.
Hajjat Mariam Namayanja, Special Presidential Assistant in charge of Monitoring the Parish Development Model (PDM), said there are two groups traveling for Hajj, with the first one flagged off today.
She reiterated that the offer is fully catered for by President Museveni and urged Muslims to report anyone who attempts to solicit money from them.
Hajjat Namayanja also called on Muslims to pray for Uganda to remain peaceful.
“Last time we prayed and had peaceful elections. We should now pray for our President and our country so that it continues to be peaceful,” she said.
“This Hajj offer is not discriminatory. All eligible Muslims, regardless of political background, can benefit because this is a national program. We should also be patient and calm during the holy journey. We want a peaceful Hajj.”
Dr. Kikambi Twaha Muhammad, Director of Tawakal Travels, thanked President Museveni for enabling ordinary Ugandans who cannot afford the pilgrimage to fulfill the fifth pillar of Islam.
“This is the fifth pillar of Islam, so we can’t thank President Museveni enough for helping our Muslim brothers and sisters fulfill this important obligation,” he said.
“Our company was given the opportunity by State House to take the pilgrims to Saudi Arabia. We thank you.”
Mr. Huzaima Mutumba, Operations Director at Tawakal Travels, revealed that their agency was entrusted with 52 pilgrims.
“I take this opportunity to thank H.E. the President for giving us the responsibility to take 52 pilgrims to Mecca,” he said.
Mr. Hamza Adam Bwengye, one of the directors of Anwaary Travels, also thanked the President for enabling ordinary Muslims to go for Hajj.
He noted that they are handling 38 pilgrims.
“We thank President Museveni for his support toward Muslims. He has been doing this for years. All we can do is pray for him for a long life. All pilgrims under our care will receive five-star services while in Saudi Arabia,” Mr. Bwengye said.
Ms. Mayimuna Nababi from Ndese, Mukono District, expressed gratitude for being selected.
“I thank President Museveni for the Hajj offer. I didn’t expect it, but Allah has made it possible for me. I’m so happy,” she said.
Sheikh Kassim Kigozi from Butambala District said he was excited to go for Hajj this year, noting that he missed the opportunity last year.
“Fortunately, State House gave me an Umrah offer, and now they have given me Hajj,” Sheikh Kigozi said.
“I’m so happy to be going for Hajj, all courtesy of President Museveni. I thank him so much. May Allah grant me the best from it.”
Ms. Aisha Kyakuwa from Makindye also commended the President.
“We thank you, Your Excellency, for this offer. We pray that Allah grants you a healthy life,” she said.
Sheikh Isa Keli Pedo, the District Kadhi of Kotido, hailed President Museveni for his continued support to the Muslim community.
“I’m truly grateful, and I urge all Muslims to appreciate the President for his support,” he said.
