A group of 50 Ugandan Muslims is set to embark on a pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, fully sponsored by President Museveni.
Umrah, often referred to as the “lesser” or “minor” pilgrimage, is a sacred act of worship in Islam that involves travel to the holy city of Mecca.
The selected pilgrims, drawn from across Uganda, include several Imams, Sheikhs, and Sheikats, nominated through local Muslim leadership structures.
The flag-off ceremony took place at Hotel Africana in Kampala on Thursday, July 31, 2025, marking yet another milestone in the President’s continued support for the Muslim community.
Presiding over the event was Mr. Moses Byaruhanga, the Senior Presidential Advisor for Political Mobilization, who delivered President Museveni’s message to the pilgrims.
“We are proud that our president is enabling fellow countrymen and women to fulfill this sacred duty. Let us continue to pray for peace and prosperity in our country,” Mr. Byaruhanga said.
He emphasized the president’s commitment to promoting unity and development across all religious and cultural lines, stressing that this generosity stems from a desire to ensure equal access to spiritual and economic opportunities for all Ugandans, regardless of faith.
Mr. Byaruhanga assured the gathering that the selection process was managed transparently by Muslim community structures and warned against any form of extortion.
“No one should ask you for money. President Museveni is covering all the costs. We are one, whether from Old Kampala or Kibuli sects, and we should focus on unity,” he stated.
Each beneficiary received a fully paid travel package along with a personal upkeep allowance of USD 500 (about shs 1.8 million) handed out at the ceremony to cater for individual expenses during the pilgrimage.
Mr. Byaruhanga explained that the sponsorship initiative traces back to 2011, when he arranged a meeting between Kampala Imams and President Museveni.
The clerics requested annual Hajj sponsorships, which the President committed to.
Although the initiative paused for some years, it was recently revived through the efforts of Hajjat Madina Nsereko, who reminded the President of his earlier promise.
In the past, approximately shs 2.5 billion was used to sponsor about 100 pilgrims. The current format, however, allows for smaller, annual sponsorships to ensure sustainability and broader reach.
Mr. Byaruhanga also revealed that another group of Muslims will be flagged off next month, part of the President’s ongoing pledge to support annual Umrah pilgrimages.
To further empower Muslim leaders economically, Mr. Byaruhanga announced President Museveni’s plan to capitalize Imam SACCOs in 125 districts with shs 100 million each.
These Islamic-compliant financial cooperatives are intended to support lending models aligned with Islamic principles, particularly as many Imams serve without formal pay.
“There are 82 Muslim districts, but the President wants to support all Ugandans. The SACCOs will allow Imams to borrow and invest in line with Islamic teachings,” he said.
Also present at the ceremony was Hajjat Mariam Namayanja, the Special Presidential Assistant in charge of monitoring the Parish Development Model (PDM) program. She commended President Museveni for his consistent efforts in supporting Muslims to fulfill their religious obligations.
“We thank President Museveni for listening to the needs of the Muslim community and making sure they are not left behind,” Hajjat Namayanja said.
The gesture has been widely welcomed as a clear demonstration of the President’s commitment to religious harmony, social inclusion, and equitable national development—affirming the vital role of faith in Uganda’s journey toward prosperity.