President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has pledged to continue sponsoring Muslim clerics to perform the pilgrimage to the holy sanctuaries in the cities of Makkah and Madinah. This initiative supports the fulfillment of one of the five pillars of the Islamic faith.
The announcement was made by Ms. Mariam Namayanja Kiwanuka Ssebagala, a State House staff member, during the weekly Hajj training session organized by the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council-UMSC Department of Hajj and Umrah under the leadership of Sheikh Juma Ali Shiwuyo. The session was held for intending pilgrims scheduled to travel on May 28th, 2025.
Ms. Namayanja was accompanied by fellow State House staff, including Dr. Sakina Hassan, Ms. Asha Birungi Texikuba, and Ms. Shabira Nassali. In her address, Ms. Namayanja shared a brief background on President Museveni’s sponsorship of 100 imams—clerics who, despite regularly encouraging others to perform Hajj, have never had the opportunity to undertake the pilgrimage themselves.
“Imagine our sheikhs, in their daily preaching, urging Muslim faithful to save and strive to perform the Hajj rituals—yet some have never seen the holy city of Makkah,” she said, sparking joyful chants of Allahu Akbar from the attentive audience gathered at the UMSC headquarters in Old Kampala on Friday, May 16, 2025.
Ms. Namayanja further noted that President Museveni has long recognized the spiritual significance of Hajj and remains committed to supporting underprivileged Muslims, especially clerics. However, she explained that the idea had previously been shelved after dishonest individuals began extorting money from unsuspecting community members under the guise of helping them secure sponsorship.
“For this year’s start, President Museveni has offered Hajj sponsorship to 100 pilgrims. That’s why we came to check on you as you undergo Hajj training. He sends his greetings and promised to spare some time to meet you before your departure this coming week,” she added, prompting another round of Allahu Akbar chants that filled the conference hall.
She concluded by urging the pilgrims to offer heartfelt prayers, asking Almighty Allah to bless and protect Uganda, and to guide its citizens toward peace as the country prepares for the upcoming general elections.
On his part, Hon. Hajj Abbas Muluubya Ssekyanzi, the UMSC Secretary General, expressed gratitude to the President for honoring the Mufti’s request to extend Hajj opportunities to the less privileged. “This shows that the President is truly a father of the nation who listens and cares for all his people,” he said.
Meanwhile, Sheikh Juma Ali Shiwuyo informed the gathering that all necessary preparations, including payments, had been completed. He noted that the pilgrims had been well trained, with the final session on the performance of Hajj rituals conducted by Dr. Sheikh Ziyadi Swaleh Lubanga, the UMSC Director of Sharia.
The event also included a mandatory immunization exercise for pilgrims, in accordance with requirements from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health. Vaccinations administered included Yellow Fever, meningitis, and influenza, provided by Dr. Sulaiman Wabusimba and Dr. Mariam Nantongo.