PRESIDENT MUSEVENI SPONSORS 150 MUSLIMS FOR THIS YEAR’S HAJJ PILGRIMAGE TO MECCA

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has sponsored 150 Muslims for this
year’s Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

Hajj is a sacred pilgrimage that is required of every Muslim at least once
in their lifetime – it is one of the five pillars of Islam. Hajj is performed in
Mecca, Saudi Arabia every year.

The delegation of pilgrims which will be traveling on 7th and 12th May,
2026, will be led by the Special Presidential Assistant-Press and
Mobilization also Deputy Press Secretary to H.E 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.

(Left -right) An 85yeqr old Kubonubona Jowadu receives his package from the Senior Presidential Advisor on Political Affairs, Moses Byaruhanga one of the 150 Muslim Pilgrims that President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni Sponsored for this year’s Hajj Pilgrimage to Mecca at the President’s Office in Kampala on 6th May 2026. Photo by PPU/Tony Rujuta.

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 the Muslim leaders in each region to
select the eligible pilgrims and the program has been transparent. “
He also emphasised 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 round
sponsored 150 Muslims for Hajji,” Mr. Byaruhanga said.
“Each Hajj costs Shs21 million on average, that amounts to over Shs 3
billion for 150 people.”

He also reminded the faithful that President Museveni came up with an
alternative for the Parish Development Model, which can be embraced
by some believers who think that PDM contravenes the Islamic laws due
to the interest element (riba).

“We now have Islamic banking and the President is also going to inject
billions of shillings in the SACCOs of Muslim leaders such as Imams
throughout the country. This money is interest free and it's meant to
economically empower you,” he stated.

“However, for clarity the PDM interest is meant to ensure that our money
doesn't lose value.”

He also urged the Muslims to rear white goats and sheep, saying that
they are very 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.”

On the other hand, Mr. Byaruhanga thanked the Muslim community for
supporting President Museveni and the National Resistance Movement
(NRM).

On his part, Haji Kirunda urged the pilgrims not to be tourists when they
reach Saudi Arabia, saying that they may land into trouble while on 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 stated.

He also urged the pilgrims to respect themselves and maintain proper
hygiene, in that they don't taint the image of the State House and
Uganda at large.

“Don’t try to take anything which doesn’t belong to you, you will face the
law in Saudi Arabia and we may not come back with you after Hajj if you
break the law,” he said.

He also thanked President Museveni for supporting and standing with
Muslims.

Hajjat Mariam Namayanja, Special Presidential Assistant in charge of
Monitoring the Parish Development Model (PDM) program, said there
are two groups which are going for Hajj, “With the first one being
flagged-off today.”

She further re-echoed Mr. Byaruhanga's statement that the offer is fully
catered for by President Museveni and requested Muslims to report
anyone who tries to solicit funds from them.

Hajjat Namayanja also tasked the Muslims to pray for Uganda so that it
continues to be peaceful.

“Last time we prayed and we had peaceful elections. We should now
pray for our President and our country so that it continues to be
peaceful,” she noted.

“This Hajj offer is not discriminatory. All eligible Muslims irrespective of
their 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, Tawakal Travels thanked
President Museveni for offering Hajj Pilgrimage to ordinary Ugandans
who are unable to financially afford to fulfil the 5 th pillar of Islam.

“This is the 5th Pillar of Islam so we can't thank President Museveni
enough for helping our Muslim brothers and sisters to fulfill this important
pillar,” he said.

“Our company was offered the opportunity by the State House to take
the pilgrims to Saudi Arabia, We thank you.”

Mr. Huzaima Mutumba, Operations Director- Tawakal Travels revealed
that their agency was given an opportunity to offer pilgrimage services to
52 pilgrims.

“I take this opportunity to thank H.E the President for giving us the offer
to take 52 pilgrims to Mecca,” he said.

Mr. Hamza Adam Bwengye, one of the directors of Anwaary Travels also
thanked the President for offering an opportunity to ordinary Muslims to
go for Hajj.

He noted that they have 38 pilgrims under their care.

“We thank President Museveni for his support towards Muslims. He has
been doing this for years. All we can do is to pray for him for a long-
lasting life. All pilgrims under our care will have 5-star services while in
Saudi Arabia,” Mr. Bwengye said.

Ms. Mayimuna Nababi from Ndese, Mukono district, thanked President
Museveni for offering her Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca.

“I thank President Museveni for the Hajj offer. I didn't expect it but Allah has made it for me. I'm so happy,” she said.

Sheikh Kassim Kigozi from Butambala district said he was so excited to
go for Hajj this year.

He said he was among those who missed going for Hajj last year.
“Fortunately, the State House gave me an Umrah offer and now, they
have given me Hajj,” Sheikh Kigozi said.

“I am so happy that I’m going for Hajj, all courtesy of President Museveni.
I thank him so much. May Allah give me the best out of it.”

Ms. Aisha Kyakuwa from Makindye commended President Museveni for
loving Islam to the extent of offering free Hajj to Muslims.

“We thank you, Your Excellency, for this offer. We pray that Allah gives
you a healthy life,” she said.

Sheikh Isa Keli Pedo, the District Kadhi of Kotido hailed President
Museveni for extending his generosity to the Muslim Community.

“I am really grateful and I urge all Muslims to appreciate the person of the
President for the support towards Muslims,” he said.