President Museveni has fully sponsored 50 Ugandan Muslims for Umrah pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
Umrah is often referred to as the lesser or the minor pilgrimage. It is an act of worship undertaken by Muslims and involves pilgrims travelling to the blessed city of Mecca.
The pilgrims, drawn from different parts of the country, include several Imams, Sheikhs, and Sheikats, selected through local Muslim leadership structures.
Each beneficiary received a presidential travel package and an upkeep allowance of $500 (Shs 1.8 million). The financial support is intended to help cover personal expenses during the pilgrimage to Mecca.
The flag-off ceremony, held at Hotel Africana in Kampala on Thursday, July 31, 2025, marked a significant moment in the continued support by the President towards the Muslim community in Uganda.
The event was presided over by Senior Presidential Advisor for Political Mobilization, Moses Byaruhanga, who urged the Muslim community to continue praying for peace and prosperity in Uganda, noting that President Museveni remains committed to fostering unity and development across all religious and cultural divides.
“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,” Byaruhanga said.
He reminded the congregation that the president’s generosity is grounded in his desire to ensure all Ugandans, regardless of faith, can access meaningful spiritual and economic opportunities.
Byaruhanga emphasized that the selection process is managed transparently by the Muslim community itself and cautioned against any attempts at corruption or solicitation of money from the beneficiaries.
“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,” Byaruhanga stated.
Byaruhanga recounted how the program came to be.
“In 2011, I arranged a meeting between Kampala Imams and the President. They requested annual Hajj sponsorships. Although the initiative stalled for a while, it was revived recently through the efforts of Hajjat Madinah Nsereko, who reminded the president of the commitment,” he explained.
