A group photo of some of 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.
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I A group of 150 Muslims has been sponsored for this year’s Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia by President Yoweri Museveni.
Hajj, which is performed in Mecca, Saudi Arabia every year, is one of the five pillars of Islam.
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, Moses Byaruhanga at the Office Of the Prime Minister Conference Hall in Kampala.
“State House has worked hand in hand with the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) to ensure that the beneficiaries are effectively selected,” he said, adding that they gave a chance to the Muslim leaders in each region to select the eligible pilgrims and the program was 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,” said Byaruhanga, adding that each Hajj costs Shs21 million on average, which amounts to over Shs 3 billion for 150 people that have been sponsored.
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.”
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.
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.”
“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.”
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