Mubaje made the remarks during a thanksgiving (Shukur) ceremony held in honour of Haji Issa Wanderema, the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) General Assembly representative for Bududa Muslim District, following his successful completion of the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage.
The ceremony was held at Bubwaya Village in Manafwa Town Council, Manafwa District.
Addressing hundreds of Muslims, the Mufti encouraged those with the financial means to make Hajj a priority by saving consistently and maintaining the intention to fulfil the religious obligation.
"Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam. It is not something Muslims should wait to perform when they have spare money. With clear intentions and commitment, nothing is impossible," Mubaje said.
The Mufti also condemned alleged corruption surrounding the Presidential Hajj Offer, attributing the problem to the growing desire among some Muslims to secure free sponsorships for the pilgrimage.
"The desire for free Hajj has fuelled corruption in the Presidential Hajj Offer. This corruption even involves some individuals in State House. We shall raise these issues when we meet the President," he said.
He revealed that the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council is already working with the State House Anti-Corruption Unit to address alleged irregularities affecting the programme and restore public confidence in the initiative.
Mubaje commended UMSC Secretary for Hajj and Umrah, Sheikh Ali Juma Shiwuyo, for his management of this year's pilgrimage.
"I have not received any complaints from the pilgrims. Sheikh Shiwuyo handled them well," he said.
The Mufti also cautioned Muslims against prioritising Umrah while neglecting Hajj, explaining that anyone financially capable of undertaking Umrah should also strive to fulfil the obligation of Hajj.
He advised Muslims who are unable to perform the pilgrimage during their lifetime to include the obligation in their wills.
He further called on Muslim parents to invest in the Islamic education of their children, describing religious knowledge as essential for safeguarding the future of the faith.
Sheikh Ali Juma Shiwuyo encouraged intending pilgrims to begin paying for Hajj immediately through the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council's instalment payment arrangement.
He urged prospective pilgrims to clear their Hajj fees by November to ease financial pressure and facilitate proper planning.
Shiwuyo also praised Hajj Issa Wanderema for his perseverance, revealing that he had spent two years saving before finally undertaking the pilgrimage.
One of the returning pilgrims, Hajj Haruna Musiwa, applauded Shiwuyo for his integrity and transparency throughout the pilgrimage.
"While other operators charged pilgrims $200 for the slaughter of sacrificial animals, UMSC charged only $100 and later refunded each pilgrim 121 Saudi Riyals after all expenses were settled," Musiwa said.