KAMPALA.Ugandan Muslims are among the millions of pilgrims from across the world who have successfully arrived in the holy city of Makkah and the surrounding sacred sites to participate in the Hajj rituals — the fifth pillar of Islam, performed once in the lifetime of every capable Muslim.
Media reports indicate that the majority of Ugandan pilgrims are in good health despite experiencing minor illnesses caused by weather changes and body fatigue. However, they remain in high spiritual spirits and they have arrived in the Tent City of Mina before heading to the plains of Arafat on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, for the special day-long standing in devotion, which marks the climax of Hajj.
On a sad note, reports further indicate that out of the 65 Muslim pilgrims selected by the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) from the ten regions of the country to travel under the annual Presidential Hajj offer pledged by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, only 22 reportedly managed to secure visas.
Worse still, only 17 among those who travelled are said to have received their pocket money, which forms part of the presidential offer.
The affected pilgrims are reportedly distressed and uncertain about how they will survive in the coming days without the financial support that was expected from the relevant government officials, who have allegedly declined to respond to inquiries regarding the matter.
On its part, the UMSC Department of Hajj and Umrah stated that it had made several follow-ups regarding the issue but had not received any response or explanation from the concerned government authorities.
Reports further allege that the same officials were seen distributing envelopes containing pocket money and other accessories to pilgrims travelling through private Hajj companies before departure for the holy journey.