Sheikh Shaban Ramadan Mubaje, the Mufti of Uganda, has expressed concern over the persistently low number of Muslim pilgrims from Uganda making the journey to Mecca.
According to Sheikh Mubaje, Uganda has failed to meet even a quarter of its allocated pilgrim quota.
“Saudi Arabia allocates 1,000 pilgrimage slots for every one million people in a country. That means Uganda is entitled to 45,000 slots. But we have failed to even fill 10 percent of those,” he said.
The Mufti made the remarks during the official send-off ceremony for 135 pilgrims at the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) headquarters, shortly before Friday prayers.
He attributed the low numbers to neglect by many capable Muslims.
“Pilgrimage is one of the five pillars of Islam. It is obligatory for all Muslims who are able, yet many with the means are not making the journey,” he said.
Sheikh Mubaje expressed dismay that even wealthy Muslims were seeking free sponsorship instead of funding their own pilgrimage.
“It is surprising that you receive phone calls from people with big offices and good salaries inquiring about free Haj offers. Someone with dozens of acres of land can’t even sacrifice one or two acres to fulfill this important pillar of Islam,” he remarked.
He also criticized local Muslim leaders for failing to mobilize and sensitize their communities about the importance of performing Haj. His comments followed a report from Sheikh Ali Shiuyo, the UMSC Secretary for Haj and Umrah, indicating that some Muslim districts had not presented any pilgrims this year.
According to Sheikh Shiuyo’s report, Bugisu Muslim District registered the highest number with 23 pilgrims, followed by Iganga with 21. He also praised Amina Nambogwe from Iganga, who began saving for the journey in 2016.
“She had not completed the payments, but the Mufti directed us to include her because of her long-term commitment,” he said.
The Mufti also hailed President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for sponsoring 100 Muslims for this year’s pilgrimage.
Sheikh Mubaje further called for the arrest and prosecution of individuals defrauding aspiring pilgrims by luring them with fake, cheap offers.
“These people should face the full wrath of the law. Pilgrimage is an act of worship — not something to be exploited,” he emphasized.
At the same event, UMSC Secretary General Hadji Abas Muluubya Ssekyanzi urged pilgrims to act as ambassadors of the Muslim faith and UMSC.
“Many people have lost their money to scammers promising cheap Haj packages,” he said. “I was in Mubende yesterday where several people who paid for Haj will not travel this year after giving their money to an unregistered Haj firm,” he added.