President Museveni has pledged Shs30 billion to support mosque Imams and Muslim women mosque leaders (Amirats) to establish Savings and Credit Cooperative Organizations (Saccos) across the country.
According to the arrangement, each district will receive Shs100 million to kickstart its Sacco, enabling leaders to access interest-free loans to improve their household incomes.
The pledge was at the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) headquarters in Old Kampala by Presidential Advisor on Poverty Alleviation, Moses Byaruhanga.
He delivered the President’s message while presiding over a send-off ceremony for Ugandan pilgrims heading to Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah, sponsored by the President.
Byaruhanga said the President was concerned that most Imams serve communities voluntarily without pay, hence the decision to provide financial empowerment.
“He therefore decided to support Imams and Muslim women mosque leaders by funding Saccos that will allow them to access interest-free loans to boost their household incomes,” he said.
A total of 21 Ugandans were flagged off for Umrah under presidential sponsorship.
They are among 100 pilgrims who missed Hajj two months ago due to visa delays.
Byaruhanga noted that Museveni had also pledged to sponsor them for a full Hajj pilgrimage in 2026.
UMSC Secretary General,Haji Abbas Muluubya Ssekyanzi, hailed the President’s gesture as historic, saying it was the first time government had directly sponsored Muslims to perform Hajj.
“Hajj is one of the key pillars of Islam performed once in a lifetime by able believers, which is why the UMSC Haj and Umrah Office handles this obligation with utmost care,” he said.
Sheikh Ali Juma Shiwuyu, Head of the Hajj Department at UMSC, confirmed that travel arrangements had been completed, with the pilgrims set to depart for Makkah on Monday, August 25, 2025.